Page 5 - IDEA Behavioralni prevence Covid19 brezen2020 6

IDEA anti COVID-19 # 6
What behavioural economics can teach us about prevention: another way
of fighting Covid-193 MARCH 2020
Michal Bauer, Julie Chytilová4
Summary Findings from behavioural science:
 Every one of us can help limit the spread of the Covid-19 virus today, through our everyday behaviour. Research from behavioural science to date has shown how individuals, private organizations and state institutions can all contribute to changes in behaviour that are effective in prevention.
 Thanks to the studies that have been carried out so far, we know quite a lot about how the virus spreads most frequently and what kinds of behaviour are most effective in preventing that spread. Washing our hands with soap, avoiding touching our faces and stifling any coughs or sneezes into the air are all very effective. However, research has shown that simply being informed about all this is not sufficient for people to change their behaviour. People have a tendency to forget, which is enhanced by
3 This study represents the authors' own views and not the official position of the Czech Academy of Sciences' Economics Institute (EI) nor of the Charles University Centre for Economic Research and Graduate Education (CERGE). We are grateful to the following people for helpful comments on the working version of the text: Vojtěchu Bartoš, Jana Cahlíková, Filip Matějka and Daniel Münich. Any inaccuracies or errors are the authors' responsibilty. The study was produced with support from the Czech Academy of Sciences as part of its AV21 Strategy programme and Experientia Foundation.
4 The authors work at CERGE-EI, a joint academic workplace encompassing the Charles University Centre for Economic Research and Graduate Education and the Czech Academy of Sciences' Economics Institute, and also at the Institute of Economic Studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University. Michal.Bauer@cerge-ei.cz, julie.chytilova@fsv.cuni.cz.
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