Magical contagion beliefs operate in reactions of Americans to COVID-19

Abstract We assessed the reaction of American adults to scenarios involving explicit types exposure live COVID viruses in June 2020, first months pandemic. Four features magical contagion are physical contact focus, insensitivity elapsed time (‘permanence’), sterilization (‘spiritual essence’), and dose. demonstrated operation all four a majority participants. also report another dramatic demonstration principle dose insensitivity. When asked for minimal number that would have enter their lung give them 50% chance contracting COVID, more than half subjects responded with ‘one’. Magical should generally function increase fear perceived risk COVID.