Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/219158 
Year of Publication: 
2020
Series/Report no.: 
CESifo Working Paper No. 8340
Publisher: 
Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute (CESifo), Munich
Abstract: 
We study individual demand for COVID-19 antibody tests in an incentivized study on a representative sample of the US population. Almost 2,000 participants trade off obtaining an at-home test kit against money. At prices close to zero, 80 percent of individuals want the test. However, this broad support of testing falls sharply with price. Demand decreases by 19 percentage points per $10 price increase. Demand for testing increases with factors related to its potential value, such as age, increased length and strength of protective immunity from antibodies, and greater uncertainty about having had the virus. Willingness to pay for antibody tests also depends on income, ethnicity and political views. Trump-supporters demonstrate significantly lower willingness to pay for testing. Black respondents, even if critical of Trump’s approach to the crisis, pay less for testing than white and Hispanic respondents. If policy makers want a broad take-up of testing, the results suggest that tests should be for free.
Subjects: 
coronavirus
COVID-19
antibody tests
testing markets
information preferences
beliefs
uncertainty
JEL: 
D81
D91
I12
I18
Document Type: 
Working Paper
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