How States' COVID-19 Policies Influence Each Other

Ever wondered how states decide on their COVID-19 policies? It turns out they often look at what other states are doing. This isn't just coincidence—it's a game theory puzzle! Researchers used a game-theoretic model to figure out how states make these big decisions. They found that when enough states start staying home or wearing masks, others tend to follow suit. This is called "tipping" and it's a powerful force. But it's not just about public health; politics play a big role too. For instance, Republican states were less likely to adopt mask-wearing policies than Democratic ones. The choices of states with similar political beliefs swayed others the most. This shows how complex policy-making can be, with each state's decisions influencing the next. These findings give us a new way to think about how public policies spread and change.