Transcript
Despite warnings from public health officials, new research suggests Black Lives Matter protests across the country have not led to a jump in coronavirus cases.
This is according to a new study published this month by the National Bureau of Economic Research.
Researchers used data on protests for more than 300 of the largest US cities and found no evidence that coronavirus cases grew in the weeks following the beginning of the protests.
In fact, researchers determined that social distancing behaviors actually went up after protests as people tried to avoid the protests altogether.
However the demonstrations did cause a decrease in social distancing among actual protesters but the report said that is offset by the number of people who stayed home to avoid protests.
According to the report, it’s still possible that protests may have caused an increase in the spread of the virus among protesters.
The study says there are other explanations for their findings as well such as people avoiding leaving home due to additional traffic or street closures or lack of available activities from businesses being closed near protest sites.
The study comes as coronavirus is surging in a number of places across the country, but officials say this is due to states reopening too soon and too quickly.
It also comes as more and more young people are testing positive for coronavirus, particularly in states that have opened back up.
Posted – 6.24.20