Coordination and Social Distancing: Inertia in the Aggregate Response to COVID-19

Mehdi Shadmehr () and Ethan Bueno de Mesquita ()
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Mehdi Shadmehr: University of Chicago - Harris School of Public Policy
Ethan Bueno de Mesquita: University of Chicago - Harris School of Public Policy

No 2020-53, Working Papers from Becker Friedman Institute for Research In Economics

Abstract: Social distancing which is critical for mitigating the spread of COVID-19 has been slow and inadequate. Applying the literature on beauty contest models, we show: (1) When a new and rare virus, like COVID-19, emerges, the aggregate level of social distancing has inherent inertia; (2) Clear national public statements are essential in reducing that inertia and adjusting the public's behavior to the new, optimal level of social distancing; (3) National communication is better than local communication when optimal social distancing levels are highly correlated over-time and when individuals are poorly-informed.

Pages: 13 pages
Date: 2020
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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