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A New Perspective from Time Use Research on the Effects of Lockdown on COVID-19 Behavioral Infection Risk

Author

Listed:
  • Gershuny, Jonathan I.

    (University of Oxford)

  • Sullivan, Oriel

    (University College London)

  • Sevilla, Almudena

    (London School of Economics)

  • Vega-Rapun, Marga

    (University College London)

  • Foliano, Francesca

    (UCL Institute of Education)

  • de Grignon, Juana Lamote

    (University College London)

  • Harms, Teresa

    (University College London)

  • Walthery, Pierre

    (University College London)

Abstract

We present findings from the first two waves of an innovative, population-representative, UK time-use diary survey conducted both pre- and mid-lockdown, using an online diary instrument that proved both reliable and quick-to-field. Combining diary information on activity, location, and co-presence to estimate infection risks associated with daily behavior, we show clear changes in such behavior related to infection risk between the pre- and mid-lockdown periods: a substantial reduction of time spent in those behaviors with the highest levels of risk, accompanied by an equivalent increase in low-risk behavior. Because, in general, a populations' time use changes relatively slowly, the behavioral changes revealed may be interpreted directly as a consequence of the UK COVID-19 'lockdown' regulations. Subsequent waves will reveal the behavioral consequences of future changes in regulation.

Suggested Citation

  • Gershuny, Jonathan I. & Sullivan, Oriel & Sevilla, Almudena & Vega-Rapun, Marga & Foliano, Francesca & de Grignon, Juana Lamote & Harms, Teresa & Walthery, Pierre, 2020. "A New Perspective from Time Use Research on the Effects of Lockdown on COVID-19 Behavioral Infection Risk," IZA Discussion Papers 13599, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp13599
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Daniela Del Boca & Noemi Oggero & Paola Profeta & Maria Cristina Rossi, 2020. "Women's Work, Housework and Childcare, Before and During COVID-19," Working Papers 2020-043, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
    2. Jennifer Beam Dowd & Liliana Andriano & David M. Brazel & Valentina Rotondi & Per Block & Xuejie Ding & Yan Liu & Melinda C. Mills, 2020. "Demographic science aids in understanding the spread and fatality rates of COVID-19," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 117(18), pages 9696-9698, May.
    3. Gimenez-Nadal, Jose Ignacio & Sevilla, Almudena, 2012. "Trends in time allocation: A cross-country analysis," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(6), pages 1338-1359.
    4. Joël Mossong & Niel Hens & Mark Jit & Philippe Beutels & Kari Auranen & Rafael Mikolajczyk & Marco Massari & Stefania Salmaso & Gianpaolo Scalia Tomba & Jacco Wallinga & Janneke Heijne & Malgorzata Sa, 2008. "Social Contacts and Mixing Patterns Relevant to the Spread of Infectious Diseases," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 5(3), pages 1-1, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gimenez-Nadal, Jose Ignacio & Velilla, Jorge, 2020. "Home-based work, time endowments, and subjective well-being: Gender differences in the United Kingdom," MPRA Paper 104937, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    JEL classification:

    • J10 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - General
    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General

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