Dataset Information

Conspiratorial Ideation Is Associated with Lower Perceptions of Policy Effectiveness: Views from Local Governments during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

ABSTRACT: Governments around the world struggled to formulate an effective response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, which was hampered by the widespread diffusion of various conspiracy theories about the virus. Local governments are often responsible for the implementing mitigation measures such as mask mandates and curfews but have received very limited attention in the scholarly literature. In this article, the authors use data from local policy actors in Colorado to evaluate the relationship between conspiratorial beliefs and perceptions of mitigation policy effectiveness. The authors find that many local policy actors hold conspiratorial beliefs, which combine with partisanship to contribute to lower perceptions of policy effectiveness. The authors conclude by discussing future research directions, noting that the broad adoption of conspiracy theories likely changes enforcement at the local scale.

SUBMITTER: Mayer A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10375229 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Conspiratorial Ideation Is Associated with Lower Perceptions of Policy Effectiveness: Views from Local Governments during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Mayer Adam A Ryder Stacia S

Socius : sociological research for a dynamic world 20230101

Governments around the world struggled to formulate an effective response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, which was hampered by the widespread diffusion of various conspiracy theories about the virus. Local governments are often responsible for the implementing mitigation measures such as mask mandates and curfews but have received very limited attention in the scholarly literature. In this article, the authors use data from local policy actors in Colorado to evaluate the relationship ...[more]

PMID: 37525868

Similar Datasets

Project description:Abstract Local governments across the United States have had a prominent role in financing the pandemic response during the ongoing COVID‐19 outbreak and economic recession. Yet, such governments are increasingly facing budgetary strain as sources of tax revenue evaporate. If the financial burden on such governments can be eased, they may better address those aspects of pandemic response to which they are uniquely suited, such as coordinating resources and re‐allocating space within their communities. This paper investigates the role of Medicaid, traditionally the default insurer of the unemployed, as a stabilizing force on local government budgets. Using panel data from county governments during the Great Recession (2006–2012), we estimate the effect of state Medicaid generosity on public finances. We find that Medicaid mitigates the effect of unemployment shocks on county government expenditures, specifically safety‐net programs and debt. We apply these point estimates to extrapolate predictions based on contemporary state Medicaid generosity and local unemployment rates. In this way, we show that Medicaid continues to mitigate the financial strain on local government during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Applications For Practice• Local governments contribute heavily to hospital, health, and welfare services in the United States, and are an important implementor of pandemic policies.• As the pandemic spreads, local governments incur additional expenditures in a time of depressed revenue.• Often, the debate around Medicaid financing is framed around federal and state government budgets. However, local governments support the safety‐net for indigent residents by assuming a substantial role in the finance and delivery of health care and will likely benefit from this relief.• Our findings indicate higher Medicaid generosity reduces the downstream economic strain on local governments emanating from labor market shocks.• State and federal policy may establish grants to aid local governments during the pandemic, such as in the CARES Act of 2020. However, we establish that the Medicaid program is itself a channel by which state and federal governments can support local governments.

Project description:Municipalities in Lebanon represent local governments at the basic community level. The proximity of the municipality to the local community and its knowledge of available resources, can be crucial in easing the impact of any disaster. This study aimed to document the range of preparedness/reactivity of municipalities as COVID-19 swept through Lebanon. A qualitative case study was implemented to explore municipal response to control the epidemic, using in-depth semi-structured interviews with twenty-seven stakeholders from nine municipalities across all governorates in Lebanon. In each municipality, participants included mayors/deputy mayors, available members of municipal councils, prominent community leaders, health care professionals, and managers of local NGOs. The collected data were analyzed using the comparative thematic analysis. The socioecological model was adopted to illustrate the dynamic interplay between the barriers and facilitators at all ecological levels. The response to the pandemic differed significantly in volume and nature among different municipalities across regions, with rural areas clearly disadvantaged in terms of adequacy and completeness of response. Barriers consistently mentioned by most municipalities included economic collapse and poverty, shortage in resources, lack of support from the central government, stigma, lack of awareness, underreporting, flaws in the MOPH surveillance system, impeded accessibility to healthcare services, limited number and weak role of municipal police, increased mental illnesses, and political patronage, favoritism, and interference. On the other hand, increased donations, community engagement, social support and empathy, sufficient human resources, the effective role of healthcare systems, and good governance were identified as key facilitators. The socioecological model identified several multi-level facilitators and loopholes which can be addressed through a suggested strategic "roadmap" providing evidence-based interventions for future epidemics. It is crucial meanwhile that the central government strengthens the administrative and financial resources of municipalities in preparing and rapidly deploying the expected optimal response.

Dataset Information

Conspiratorial Ideation Is Associated with Lower Perceptions of Policy Effectiveness: Views from Local Governments during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Publications

Conspiratorial Ideation Is Associated with Lower Perceptions of Policy Effectiveness: Views from Local Governments during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets