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Coronavirus Perceptions And Economic Anxiety

Author

Listed:
  • Thiemo Fetzer
  • Lukas Hensel
  • Johannes Hermle
  • Christopher Roth

Abstract

We provide one of the first systematic assessments of the development and determinants of economic anxiety at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Using a global dataset on internet searches and two representative surveys from the US, we document a substantial increase in economic anxiety during and after the arrival of the coronavirus. We also document a large dispersion in beliefs about the pandemic risk factors of the coronavirus, and demonstrate that these beliefs causally affect individuals' economic anxieties. Finally, we show that individuals' mental models of infectious disease spread understate non-linear growth and shape the extent of economic anxiety.

Suggested Citation

  • Thiemo Fetzer & Lukas Hensel & Johannes Hermle & Christopher Roth, 2020. "Coronavirus Perceptions And Economic Anxiety," Papers 2003.03848, arXiv.org, revised Jul 2020.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2003.03848
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    References listed on IDEAS

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