Researchers at the Becker Friedman Institute at the University of Chicago found that counties with lower income, suffering from economic dislocations because of tariffs and partisanship impacted their compliance with social distancing.

Using cell phone data the authors examine these factors. Using the median exposure rate of a county by tariff, the study examines counties above and below the rate to explore the impact of economic dislocation. They also examine related factors such as median income and percentage voting for President Trump in 2016. Their study found that social distance compliance was impacted in counties with below median incomes and strong Trump support and also a possible media bias reflected in exposure to Fox News.

The chart above shows Fox new footprint and attitudes towards social distancing.

The authors conclude that for social distancing to be effective we need proper targeting of economic relief and nonpartisan messaging.