1) The COVID regs alone don't account for the differences in COVID experience between the states. I've got a lot of experience with the South, and I can tell you that people in CA are a lot healthier than people in AL, COVID or no COVID, so part of that differential is just COVID running through a generally unhealthier population in AL vs. CA. This isn't to say that COVID regs have no effect, but it is important to note that there are a LOT of variables at play when comparing states or countries, making comparisons extremely challenging.

2) People get to choose how they want to live. Even if you are right that these COVID regs make a difference, so what? People have the right to choose to take more risk to have more freedom. They could make a mental calculation that taking no precautions might increase their chance of death from COVID to 0.2% from 0.1% -- i.e., doubling it -- but they correctly perceive that the risk is still small, and they get to enjoy life more (as they see it). What's wrong with that? On the other hand, for those really afraid of COVID, stay home or take whatever other precautions you like. You have the right to do that. You don't have the right to make everybody else live according to your particular risk tolerance, especially when "there are aspects that almost certainly are theater", as a wise man once said. :)