Nudging in the time of coronavirus? Comparing public support for soft and hard preventive measures, highlighting the role of risk perception and experience

The importance of researching public support for preventive policies have been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a representative sample Hungarian population, we investigated commonly used measures (social distancing, hand hygiene and wearing masks) comparing two different policy tools (nudges regulations). Because high risk unfamiliarity pandemic, respondents’ perception experience with disease was also assessed. All were generally supported and, contrary to findings previous nudge research, there no clear pattern whether regulations or nudges are preferred. People higher level both types more but slightly favoured regulations. Those who had contact (either themselves close friend family member contracting COVID-19) reported perception. When person afflicted, this levels did not translate support, moreover, it even decreased according regression analysis. In case loved one disease, an increased measures, that is explained