idk, population density. the 10 most densely populated cities in america are in the new york metropolitan area.
I'm pretty sure there's about 5000 people alone living on my block and on the average day there's about 175,000 people per square mile on any block in manhattan. Not to mention the majority of people use public transport which is world famous for being cramped.
You may have a point. Florida has more people than NY. However, more are squished in certain areas than others. But social distance mandates were also in effect as well.
The mainstream media keep blasting DeSantis for not FORCING people to wear masks (not to be confused with barring people from wearing them, Straw).
Yet, they all but nominated Cuomo for sainthood, despite his states having more corona corpses than any other state (and at one point, more than all the other states combined), mandates and all.