Exploring the Use of Wireless Emergency Alerts for Notifications Regarding COVID-19 Initial Lines of Inquiry

The authors studied the use of Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) notifications at the state and local level to inform the public about COVID-19 developments. The authors compared rates of infections and deaths in jurisdictions which used the WEA system to those which did not. While sample sizes were small and rates of COVID-19 spread varied, the authors suggest WEA alerts may be an important way to encourage protective measures during pandemics.