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A Few Good Masks : Evidence from Mask Manufacturing in Rwanda during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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  • Byrne,Kieran Thomas
  • Kondylis,Florence
  • Loeser,John Ashton
  • Mukama,Denis

Abstract

Did increases in mask supply slow the spread of COVID-19 Rwanda licensed and incentivized textilemanufacturers to produce high-quality masks at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper exploits spatial variationin exposure to mask manufacturing through textile trade networks within an event-study design using receipt-leveltax data. Licensing domestic mask manufacturers conservatively reduced mask prices by 8.8% and reducedmonthly growth in COVID-19 infections (proxied by demand for anti-fever medicine) by 12%. The dynamics of the resultssuggest that increased mask quality explains reduced infections, in a context where there was strict enforcementof mask mandates and informal markets for masks.

Suggested Citation

  • Byrne,Kieran Thomas & Kondylis,Florence & Loeser,John Ashton & Mukama,Denis, 2022. "A Few Good Masks : Evidence from Mask Manufacturing in Rwanda during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9993, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:9993
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