Freakonomics Radio 487. Is It Okay to Have a Party Yet?
Dec 23, 2021
Explore the complexities of celebrating during a pandemic, weighing the joy of gatherings against health risks. Discover research linking March Madness to spikes in COVID-19 cases as students crave connection. Delve into how personal experiences shape decisions about social interactions, and hear insights on the intricate dance between politics and medical choices. The discussion even touches on the vital but often overlooked topic of integrating conversations about death into education.
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Virtual Birthday Party
- Bapu Jena's daughter's birthday during the pandemic raised questions about safe gatherings.
- They opted for a virtual magic show instead of an in-person party.
Birthdays as a Natural Experiment
- Birthdays are random and universal, making them ideal for a natural experiment on COVID-19 spread.
- Researchers used birthday data to study the link between small gatherings and infections.
Birthday Effect on COVID-19 Spread
- COVID-19 infection rates increased by 30% in households after a birthday in hotspot counties.
- This "birthday effect" was almost three times larger for households with children's birthdays.