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A tale of two pandemics: The enduring partisan differences in actions, attitudes, and beliefs during the coronavirus pandemic

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  • Ying Fan
  • A Yeşim Orhun
  • Dana Turjeman

Abstract

Early in the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, scholars and journalists noted partisan differences in behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs. Based on location data from a large sample of smartphones, as well as 13,334 responses to a proprietary survey spanning 10 months from April 1, 2020 to February 15, 2021, we document that the partisan gap has persisted over time and that the lack of convergence occurs even among individuals who were at heightened risk of death. Our results point to the existence and persistence of the interaction of partisanship and information acquisition and highlight the need for mandates and targeted informational campaigns towards those with high health risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Ying Fan & A Yeşim Orhun & Dana Turjeman, 2023. "A tale of two pandemics: The enduring partisan differences in actions, attitudes, and beliefs during the coronavirus pandemic," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(10), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0287018
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287018
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    Cited by:

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    2. Ordabayeva, Nailya & Malkoc, Selin A. & Kim, J. Christine & Lisjak, Monika & John, Elicia & Donnelly, Grant & Cavanaugh, Lisa A. & Mittal, Vikas, 2026. "Politics in the middle: A call to study nuanced political differences in a binary world," International Journal of Research in Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 43(2), pages 500-513.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • D84 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Expectations; Speculations
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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