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Silver bullet? The effect of mask mandates on COVID-19 cases

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  • Denkyirah, Elisha K.
  • March, Raymond J.

Abstract

We employ a difference-in-difference (DID) approach developed by Callaway and Sant’Anna (2021) with doubly robust inverse probability weighting estimator to assess the relationship between mask mandates and positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000. We find a statistically significant negative relationship between mask mandates and COVID-19 cases using monthly county-level data. We further find ATTs ranging between 87.48 and 92.56 fewer positive cases per 100,000. Our analysis provides insights into future public health responses to infectious disease outbreaks and policy efforts to address public health crises more broadly.

Suggested Citation

  • Denkyirah, Elisha K. & March, Raymond J., 2026. "Silver bullet? The effect of mask mandates on COVID-19 cases," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ehbiol:v:61:y:2026:i:c:s1570677x26000365
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2026.101606
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