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Education in Mathematics and the Spread of COVID-19

Author

Listed:
  • Joshua Ping Ang

    (Rogers State University)

  • Tim Murray

    (Virginia Military Institute)

Abstract

We investigate the effect of standardized mathematics scores for young adults on the number of COVID-19 cases in the USA. We find that a one-grade-level increase in test scores led to a decrease in COVID-19 cases 30, 60, and 90 days after the first case in each county. Our findings suggest that if states and localities implement policies that increase the level of education and comprehension of mathematics at the K-12 level, that people may be better prepared to find and interpret information in a future public health crisis.

Suggested Citation

  • Joshua Ping Ang & Tim Murray, 2021. "Education in Mathematics and the Spread of COVID-19," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 47(4), pages 571-589, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:easeco:v:47:y:2021:i:4:d:10.1057_s41302-021-00200-z
    DOI: 10.1057/s41302-021-00200-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Alexandre Olbrecht, 2021. "Human Suffering and Natural Experiments: How Empirical Economics can unmask the devastation of Covid-19," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 47(4), pages 461-463, October.
    2. Ang, Joshua Ping & Guanlin, Gao & Sparks, Andrew, 2022. "A dichotomy between democracy and personal freedom on the spread of COVID-19," MPRA Paper 114909, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    COVID-19; Education; Mathematics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • R10 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - General

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