Coordination, Common Knowledge and an H1N1 Outbreak

We experimentally measure the ability of subjects to coordinate on issues related to the H1N1 inuenza virus before and after an outbreak. Our instrument consists of an H1N1 survey converted into a coordination game. We show that the degree of coordination on beliefs about (1) H1N1 prevention, (2) H1N1 vaccine side effects, and (3) actions to take if sick all increase after the outbreak. More generally we provide the first test of coordination on meaningful strategy labels in response to a naturally occurring field coordination device. Our results provide a unique insight into the responses of beliefs to a major health event. Nous mesurons de facon experimentale l'aptitude de sujets a coordonner sur des questions portant sur la grippe H1N1 avant et apres une eruption majeure du virus. Notre instrument consiste en une enquete H1N1 convertie en jeu de coordination. Nous montrons une augmentation, suite a l'eruption, du degre de coordination dans les croyances portant sur (1) la prevention du H1N1, (2) les effets secondaires du vaccin H1N1 et (3) les actions a prendre en cas de maladie. De facon plus generale, notre etude est la premiere a presenter un test de coordination sur des etiquettes strategiques en reaction a un systeme de coordination present naturellement. Nos resultats permettent de mieux comprendre les croyances en reponse a un choc majeur a la sante.