COVID-19 Related Information via Social Network Shapes Preventative Behavior

People living in counties with higher social proximity to COVID-19 severity information were more likely to take preventative measures (e.g., social distancing and mask-wearing). Meanwhile, counties with higher social proximity to COVID-19 severity information experienced a slower spread of COVID-19. These relationships hold after we control for local cases, county-level time-invariant characteristics, state-level policies, and various types of physical ties to hard-hit areas. Overall, this research documents significant evidence showing the value of social networks in enhancing social awareness and shows how preventative measures induced by social awareness help mitigate the spread of the virus, while controlling away other alternative factors, such as local infections which increase local awareness, physical connectedness, which increases the likelihood of travel, and state policy responses to COVID