Does culture matter during a pandemic? An approach to the Spanish crisis of the cOVID-19

Abstract

In this paper we argue that culture, as a set of beliefs, values, and norms prevailing in a society, exerts a relevant role in various phenomena related to a pandemic. We analyse several cultural indicators that may affect the definition and followup of the norms of hygiene, social distance and lockdown. We conclude that the people in Spain has very low levels of trust in others, but high levels of conformity. This opens a research agenda on the way in which these beliefs and values foster different models of public policies to face the health crisis, their social acceptance and effectiveness.