US

Study Finds ‘No Evidence’ That Protests Caused COVID-19 Resurgence

(Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

Daily Caller News Foundation logo
Spencer Landis Contributor
Font Size:

The nationwide protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd did not cause a resurgence in COVID-19 cases, according to a study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research.

“[W]e find no evidence that net COVID-19 case growth differentially rose following the onset of Black Lives Matter protests, and even modest evidence of a small longer-run case growth decline,” the study said.

The study highlights the effects of the protests on the behavior of both the protesters themselves and their fellow city residents. While the protesters did expose themselves to increased risks for contracting coronavirus, the study found that the mass protests actually increased social-distancing behavior among other residents. (RELATED: ‘Substantial Disappointment’: CDC Director Reacts To American Airlines Decision To Fly At Full Capacity)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 30: A group of protesters affiliated with Black Lives Matter (BLM) and other groups congregate in a park outside of City Hall in Lower Manhattan as they continue to demand that the New York City Police Department (NYPD) be defunded on June 30, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

A group of protesters affiliated with Black Lives Matter (BLM) and other groups congregate in a park outside of City Hall in Lower Manhattan as they continue to demand that the New York City Police Department (NYPD) be defunded on June 30, 2020 in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

“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 increasing social distancing behavior among others who may choose to shelter-at-home and circumvent public places while the protests are underway.”

The rationale for this net increase in social-distancing behavior involved the perception that the mass protests could become violent and crime rates could spike, leading residents to stay indoors, according to the study.

The study examined 315 of the nation’s largest cities in a 30-day time span to estimate the effects of the onset of protests on positive cases of coronavirus. Even in cities where protests took place before May 28, only one–Phoenix–out of 13 experienced a rise in cases that could possibly be attributed to the protesters’ activity.

The increase in cases in Phoenix, however, followed shortly after Gov. Doug Ducey ended Arizona’s stay-at-home-order on May 15, causing many residents to ignore safety measures in public, the Associated Press reported.

With the possible exception of Phoenix, the authors conclude that “the protests and the fight against COVID-19 were on net aligned.”

In the past few weeks many citizens have expressed frustration at the protesters’ violation of social-distancing measures as businesses largely remain closed in many states. In New York City, controversies surrounding the continued closure of playgrounds, parks, and houses of worship abound.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.