Information avoidance and testing for COVID-19

Abstract

To limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, many employers and institutions developed procedures for people who tested positive. We propose that these procedures may have dissuaded people from testing. In a sample of 1142 participants (452 university students, 690 non-students) we examined the decision to test for COVID-19. More than 30% of our sample opted to forego testing for COVID-19 despite having symptoms. Participants most frequently endorsed practical reasons for their decision (e.g., did not believe they had COVID-19, felt their symptoms were too mild to warrant testing). However, further analysis revealed that the cost of testing strongly predicted their choice. Such costs included losing income, having to move from one's residence, and among students, losing access to a meal plan. The findings suggest efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 can include costs that discourage people from testing.