Stereotypes don't really help as we don't know which of them matter if any, and to what degree. Japan also had mask shortages as they got most of their supply from China. They also depend much more on public transit and have smaller housing and public places. I want stats. For all we know it could be the amount of plosives and spitting in different languages that's the key.
By the way I don't know about you but I can't remember the last time I hugged someone outside my immediate family, and I may have shaken four hands in the last 12 months. I have a hard time believing that's very relevant, despite the high profile of such customs.
> base population with mask wearing that probably don't meet up in large groups nowadays
You haven't been to Nomikais I believe.
When I say large group, I mean hundreds of people in a church levels of large group singing church hymns loudly. Not a few dozen inside a room.
Loud singing/talking has been shown to increase coronavirus / droplet transmissions.
You mean Karaoke? A tradition so popular there are million dollar companies providing it as a service?
While the poorer population of America is probably not that fit compared to the richer, which is why your seeing more of them dying probably.