Evaluation of Social Distancing Measures

by Paolo Pinotti

This project aims at understanding the effectiveness of social distancing policy by analyzing the mobility of individuals within and across cities. Drawing on mobility data recorded by mobile phones, the study will assess in a dynamic way how the Italian population has reacted to the different quarantines set up during the Covid-19 crisis. The project plans to understand how behavior evolved across time and space, utilizing new information on the progression of the disease at a local level as well as other determinants such as weather patterns and local characteristics such as altruism and trust in authorities and institutions. The project will address these questions using statistical methods as well as developing a model of individual behavior.