In fact, the researchers found that social distancing behaviors actually increased after the protests, as people tried to avoid them entirely. But obviously, these protests caused a decrease in the social distancing among the real protesters.
“Our findings suggest that any direct decrease in social distancing among the subset of the population participating in the protests is more than offset by increased social distancing behavior among others who may choose to take refuge in the home and evade places. public while protests are underway, “the report read.
It is still possible that the protests have caused an increase in the spread of the virus among those who attended the protests, according to the report.
The researchers also noted that the effect of the protests on social distancing and orders to stay home may fade as violence and the scope of the protests decrease. As protests begin to lessen or become less intense, non-protesters will feel more secure leaving their homes.
“There are also other possible explanations for our findings, such as avoiding traveling away from home due to additional traffic congestion or street closings, or due to the lack of activities available from business closings near protest sites,” he says. the study.
The coronavirus continues to spread in the United States. USA
On Monday, Florida topped 100,000 total coronavirus cases, according to the Florida Department of Health.
In California, more than 35% of confirmed cases have been recorded in the past two weeks, Governor Gavin Newsom said at a press conference on Monday.
In Texas, people under the age of 30 account for the majority of new coronavirus cases in multiple counties, Gov. Greg Abbott said last week. That increase in infected youth could be related to Memorial Day parties, bar visits or other gatherings, he said.
Unlike Europe and Asia, the United States has been unable to control the pandemic, as cases continue to emerge amid debates over the use of face masks and the need for social distancing.
CNN’s Christina Maxouris and Eric Levenson contributed to this report.
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