Business Restrictions and COVID Fatalities

Abstract

We collect a time-series database of business and related restrictions for every county in the United States from March through December 2020. We find strong and consistent evidence that employee mask policies, mask mandates for the general population, restaurant and bar closures, gym closures, and high-risk business closures reduce future fatality growth. Other business restrictions, such as second round closures of low- to medium- risk businesses and personal care/spa services, did not generate consistent evidence that they lowered fatality growth and may have been counterproductive.

Note: Funding: None.

Declaration of Interests: None.