Here’s how behavioural science can help curb skyrocketing coronavirus cases

Dr. Joshua Liao explains how public health officials can harness behavioral science to decrease the rising rate of Covid-19 transmission.

Despite surging Covid-19 cases around the country, groups continue to flout public health guidance about safe practices. Some instances are particularly flagrant, such as Alabama college students reportedly organizing “Covid parties” to intentionally infect attendees. But individual examples reflect a broader trend: since late May, a growing proportion of Americans have socialized with people outside of their own households, with up to a third doing so without maintaining social distancing.