Evaluating the effectiveness of public policies on COVID-19 containment: A PSM-DID approach

Abstract

The implementation of public policies is crucial in controlling the spread of COVID-19. However, the effectiveness of different policies can vary across different aspects of epidemic containment. Identifying the most effective policies is essential for providing informed recommendations for pandemic control. This paper examines the relationship between various public policy responses and their impact on COVID-19 containment. Using the propensity score matching-difference in differences (PSM-DID) model to address endogeneity, we analyze the causal significance of each policy on epidemic control. Our analysis reveals that that policies related to vaccine delivery, debt relief, and the cancellation of public events are the most effective measures. These findings provide key insights for policymakers, highlighting the importance of focusing on specific, high-impact measures in managing public health crises.