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COVID-19 Risk (Mis)Perceptions

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  • Xavier Dufour-Simard
  • Pierre-Carl Michaud

Abstract

Using a unique large-scale survey repeated over a period of 18 weeks during the Omicron variant wave of early 2022, we study how subjective risk perceptions line up with objective risks across various socio-economic groups in Quebec, Canada. We find that perceptions and infection estimates follow surprisingly similar trends in the aggregate but vary significantly across groups. We associate misperceptions with characteristics such as age, vaccination status and sector of employment. We discuss various implications of these results in terms of prevention and of the effectiveness of policy aimed at reducing the risk of infection through information and education. En utilisant une enquête de grande envergure répétée sur une période de 18 semaines pendant la vague du variant Omicron au début de 2022, nous étudions comment les perceptions subjectives des risques s'alignent avec les risques objectifs au sein de divers groupes socio-économiques au Québec, Canada. Nous constatons que, globalement, les perceptions et les estimations des infections suivent des tendances étonnamment similaires, mais qu'elles varient significativement d'un groupe à l'autre. Nous associons ces distorsions de perception à des caractéristiques telles que l'âge, le statut vaccinal et le secteur d'emploi. Nous discutons des diverses implications de ces résultats en termes de prévention et d'efficacité des politiques visant à réduire le risque d'infection par l'information et l'éducation.

Suggested Citation

  • Xavier Dufour-Simard & Pierre-Carl Michaud, 2024. "COVID-19 Risk (Mis)Perceptions," CIRANO Working Papers 2024s-14, CIRANO.
  • Handle: RePEc:cir:cirwor:2024s-14
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    File URL: https://cirano.qc.ca/files/publications/2024s-14.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stefanie Weinert & Anja Thronicke & Maximilian Hinse & Friedemann Schad & Harald Matthes, 2021. "School Teachers’ Self-Reported Fear and Risk Perception during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Nationwide Survey in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-14, September.
    2. Alessandra Falco & Damiano Girardi & Laura Dal Corso & Murat Yıldırım & Daniela Converso, 2021. "The perceived risk of being infected at work: An application of the job demands–resources model to workplace safety during the COVID-19 outbreak," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(9), pages 1-25, September.
    3. Sabrina Cipolletta & Gabriela Rios Andreghetti & Giovanna Mioni, 2022. "Risk Perception towards COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Synthesis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-25, April.
    4. Lu Wang & Jie Yu & Dongmei Chen & Lixia Yang, 2021. "Relationships among COVID-19 Prevention Practices, Risk Perception and Individual Characteristics: A Temporal Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-14, October.
    5. Jacques Bughin & Michele Cincera & Kelly Peters & Dorota Reykowska & Marcin Zyszkiewicz & Rafal Ohme, 2021. "Make it or Break it: Vaccination Intention at the Time of Covid-19," Working Papers TIMES² 2021-043, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    risk perception; COVID-19; prevention; Perception des risques; COVID-19; prévention;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I19 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Other

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