December 14, 2020
According to the study, Republicans were more likely than young people with other political affiliations to visit indoor venues like bars or clubs. (Photo/iStock)
Young Californians who identify as Republicans are less likely to follow social distancing guidelines that prevent COVID-19 transmission than those who identify as Democrats or independents, according to a new USC study published today in JAMA Internal Medicine.
The findings among 18- to 25-year-olds mirror what many have observed about America’s politicized response to the coronavirus and are a source of concern for public health experts. The United States is now averaging 207,000 new cases and 2,319 deaths per day, as of Dec. 11.