["Social Science Quarterly, Volume 102, Issue 5, Page 2435-2451, September 2021. ", "\nAbstract\n\nObjective\nThis study investigates the degree to which social connections and social context shape attitudes and behaviors surrounding the COVID‐19 pandemic in the United States.\n\n\nMethods\nIn April and August 2020, we surveyed Americans about their social context and asked a range of questions related to the coronavirus and social distancing.\n\n\nResults\nSocial crowding, social networks, and social context are related to support for social distancing policies and compliance with those policies.\n\n\nConclusion\nThe coronavirus pandemic created hardships; hardships made more difficult by the inability to physically interact with extended family and friends and the inability to find space away from immediate family. This research suggests that understanding compliance with public policies requires attention to interpersonal connections.\n\n"]