The Impact of Social Networks on Public Opinion and Economic Behavior During COVID-19: A Comparative Analysis of China and the United States

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the world's economic behavior, including China and the United States. Social networks then played an important role both in the spread of the virus and in information diffusion. However, there are limited studies explaining the impact of social networks along with an analysis of public opinion and economic behavior during the COVID outbreak. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the relationship by comparing the different situations in China and the United States and analyzing different economic recovery strategies used to reduce dramatic economic contraction. The study started with a brief explanation of the concept of social networks and their relation with the transmission of Covid-19. Then, it is split into two sections to focus deeper on how social networks relate to each country in the spread of COVID-19. Lastly, the differences in the policies implemented to stimulate economic activity are analysed.