Political polarization in US residents' COVID-19 risk perceptions, policy preferences, and protective behaviors.

ABSTRACT: When the novel coronavirus entered the US, most US states implemented lockdown measures. In April-May 2020, state governments started political discussions about whether it would be worth the risk to reduce protective measures. In a highly politicized environment, risk perceptions and preferences for risk mitigation may vary by political inclinations. In April-May 2020, we surveyed a nationally representative sample of 5517 members of the University of Southern California's Understanding America Study. Of those, 37% identified as Democrats, 32% as Republican, and 31% as Third Party/Independent. Overall, Democrats perceived more risk associated with COVID-19 than Republicans, including for getting infected, being hospitalized and dying if infected, as well as running out of money as a resul

SUBMITTER: Bruine de Bruin W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7672261 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature