Mask mandates increase consumer spending, Washington U study says

A study by researchers at Washington University's Olin Business School shows that consumer spending increased by 5% on average in communities where masks were mandated.

“The findings exceeded our expectations and show that we can have a strong economy with strong, commonsense public-health measures," said study co-author and Olin marketing professor Raphael Thomadsen, in a statement.

The study analyzed the impact of social distancing and mask mandates on the spread of COVID-19 as well as on consumer spending using cell phone location data in nearly every county nationwide.

Read more from the St. Louis Business Journal.