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County‐Level Determinants Of Social Distancing (Or Lack Thereof) During The Covid‐19 Pandemic

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  • Golnaz Baradaran Motie
  • Christopher Biolsi

Abstract

We study the relationship between a number of socioeconomic, demographic, and political variables and county‐level measures of social mobility in the early stages of the COVID‐19 pandemic in the United States. We find that higher income, more educated populations, older populations, a higher share of Asian residents, a higher share of residents in a formal religious institution, and the early presence of the virus all significantly correlate with reduced mobility. A higher share of the resident population that is Black or Hispanic or a greater vote share for Donald Trump in the 2016 election significantly predict smaller mobility declines. (JEL R20, R23, R28)

Suggested Citation

  • Golnaz Baradaran Motie & Christopher Biolsi, 2021. "County‐Level Determinants Of Social Distancing (Or Lack Thereof) During The Covid‐19 Pandemic," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 39(2), pages 264-279, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:coecpo:v:39:y:2021:i:2:p:264-279
    DOI: 10.1111/coep.12499
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Rajeev K. Goel & James R. Jones & James W. Saunoris, 2023. "Explaining vaccine hesitancy: A COVID‐19 study of the United States," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 44(2), pages 1073-1087, March.
    2. Mellacher, Patrick, 2023. "The impact of corona populism: Empirical evidence from Austria and theory," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 113-140.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • R20 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - General
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population
    • R28 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Government Policy

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