In a pandemic, if R0>1, individual behavior has collective effects (the effect is, hum, exponential).
The aim of a lockdown is to reduce virus spreading.
Alice wants to go out and meet with her friend Bob.
#covid_19 #publicgood #socialbiology #gametheory #socialpsychology
Since the lockdown is well respected, the number of cases dropped. Alice and Bob feels healthy. They are convinced they are not infected. They go out and have long stroll in the park.
In other terms: Most people paid a cost (stayed home) and produced a benefit available for everyone (by reducing virus prevalence in the population). Alice and Bob take advantage of the benefit, but they don't pay the cost of production. They are cheaters.
Of course, when everyone defects, the benefit drops. The virus spreads and people die. Then Alice and Bob get scared and stay home.
It is tempting to cheat. But if we all cheat, we lose.
@flodebarre @jorgeapenas Am I wrong? Why didn't I see game theory analysis of the lockdown? Why don't we use the name "cheaters" for people who don't respect the lockdown? What can we learn from theoretical studies of game theory?
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