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Spreading the disease: Protest in times of pandemics

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  • Martin Lange
  • Ole Monscheuer

Abstract

This study analyzes the impact of large anti‐lockdown protests on the spread of SARS‐CoV‐2 in Germany. Since protesters at such large gatherings are very mobile and largely neglect SARS‐CoV‐2 containment strategies, they may contribute to the regional transmission of the coronavirus. Employing novel data on bus connections of travel companies specialized in driving protesters to these gatherings, and exploiting the timing of two large‐scale demonstrations in November 2020, we estimate the causal impact of these protests on the spread of SARS‐CoV‐2 using an event study framework. Our findings imply sizable increases in infection rates in protesters' origin regions after these demonstrations. A month after the protests, treated areas face a relative increase in infection rates up to 35% compared to non‐treated areas. Our results shed light on public health consequences of behavior that ignores potential externalities for the society during a pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Lange & Ole Monscheuer, 2022. "Spreading the disease: Protest in times of pandemics," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(12), pages 2664-2679, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:hlthec:v:31:y:2022:i:12:p:2664-2679
    DOI: 10.1002/hec.4602
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    Cited by:

    1. Thomas Plümper & Eric Neumayer & Katharina Gabriela Pfaff, 2021. "The strategy of protest against Covid‐19 containment policies in Germany," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 102(5), pages 2236-2250, September.
    2. Gabriele Doblhammer & Daniel Kreft & Constantin Reinke, 2021. "Regional Characteristics of the Second Wave of SARS-CoV-2 Infections and COVID-19 Deaths in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-18, October.
    3. 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.
    4. Eric Neumayer & Katharina Gabriela Pfaff & Thomas Plümper, 2024. "Protest against Covid-19 containment policies in European countries," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 61(3), pages 398-412, May.
    5. Fischer Kai, 2022. "Thinning out spectators: Did football matches contribute to the second COVID-19 wave in Germany?," German Economic Review, De Gruyter, vol. 23(4), pages 595-640, December.
    6. Andrzej Robert Skrzypczak & Emil Andrzej Karpiński & Natalia Maja Józefacka & Robert Podstawski, 2022. "Impact of Personal Experience of COVID-19 Disease on Recreational Anglers’ Attitudes and Behaviors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-17, December.

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    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • D62 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Externalities
    • P16 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Capitalist Institutions; Welfare State

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