Politicizing the Mask: Political, Economic and Demographic Factors Affecting Mask Wearing Behavior in the USA

Leo H Kahane

doi:10.1057/s41302-020-00186-0

Politicizing the Mask: Political, Economic and Demographic Factors Affecting Mask Wearing Behavior in the USA

East Econ J. 2021;47(2):163-183. doi: 10.1057/s41302-020-00186-0. Epub 2021 Jan 5.

Author

Leo H Kahane¹

Affiliation

¹ Michael A. Ruane Distinguished Chair in Economics, Department of Economics, Providence College, 1 Cunningham Square, Providence, RI 02918 USA.

Abstract

This paper uses survey data at the county level to explore the factors determining mask-wearing behavior in the USA during the COVID-19 pandemic. Empirical results provide evidence that the tendency to wear a mask while in public is significantly lower in counties where then-candidate Donald Trump found strong support during the 2016 presidential election. In addition, states with mask-wearing mandates tend to witness greater mask-wearing behavior.

Keywords: COVID-19; Corona virus; Donald Trump; Facemask wearing; Mask mandates.