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Measuring Movement and Social Contact with Smartphone Data: A Real-Time Application to COVID-19

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Listed:
  • Victor Couture
  • Jonathan I. Dingel
  • Allison E. Green
  • Jessie Handbury
  • Kevin R. Williams

Abstract

Tracking human activity in real time and at fine spatial scale is particularly valuable during episodes such as the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, we discuss the suitability of smartphone data for quantifying movement and social contact. We show that these data cover broad sections of the US population and exhibit movement patterns similar to conventional survey data. We develop and make publicly available a location exposure index that summarizes county-to-county movements and a device exposure index that quantifies social contact within venues. We use these indices to document how pandemic-induced reductions in activity vary across people and places.

Suggested Citation

  • Victor Couture & Jonathan I. Dingel & Allison E. Green & Jessie Handbury & Kevin R. Williams, 2020. "Measuring Movement and Social Contact with Smartphone Data: A Real-Time Application to COVID-19," NBER Working Papers 27560, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:27560
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C8 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs
    • R1 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population
    • R4 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics

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