Abstract
AbstractThe 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic has significantly altered lives across the globe. In the United States, several states attempted to manage the pandemic by issuing stay-at-home orders. In this research note, I examine whether the gender of state policy makers in the executive branch might impact a state's adoption of a stay-at-home order. Using event history analysis, I find that the governor's gender has no impact on the likelihood of a state adopting a stay-at-home order. However, I find that gender plays a significant role for agency heads. Specifically, my analysis shows that states with a female-headed health agency tend to adopt stay-at-home orders earlier than states with a male administrator. These findings shed light on how female leadership in the executive branch may impact public policy regarding COVID-19.
Highlights
The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic has significantly altered lives across the globe
I find that the gender of the governor has no impact on when a state adopts a stay-at-home order, but states with a female-headed health agency tend to adopt a stayat-home order more quickly
It ends on April 18, a few days after COVID-19 cases peaked in the United States
Summary
Social welfare, and, relevant to my research, health care (Atkinson and Windett 2019; Barnes 2016; Clayton and Zetterberg 2018). Research suggests that gender may matter in advocating for stay-at-home orders, but several policy makers have influence over the timing of such orders. I suggest that the gender of the administrator who heads the state’s public health agency could play a key role in the timing and adoption of stay-at-home orders. These administrators are responsible for advising the governor on issues pertaining to health care in the state and interpret policy information for the state’s chief executive. The influence of a state’s health agency head on the governor likely varies by state. I expect that states with female-headed health agencies might be more likely to quickly adopt a stay-at-home order than states with male-headed health agencies
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