So do you think it is because in the past men were more likely to travel further from the home? The virus would be more likely to spread.
You askin' me? If so, yes. I think that, and wider contacts in the outside world, are very important and obvious variables to consider. I don't know why you specified "in the past." It goes on today.
Consider the so-called "airliner disease." Consider also the packed commuter trains in, e.g. New York City*. Consider the hand-shaking that goes on in business transactions. All of this is outside the family circle of friends and more
likely to occur with men than women.
I ain't no epidemiologist, but that kind of stuff sure seems obvious to me as substantial variables.
Terry
* I rode the subways in NYC for many years for school and jobs. Most people cannot imagine the "packing" of people in rush hour. I tell you true, no exaggerations, it's hard to move your arms in that kind of press. Reading a newspaper requires special techniques to turn the pages, and there's a special way to fold and hold the paper in that kind of situation. It is said that the smaller tabloid format of newspapers, like the NY Daily News, was a result of this. Full-sized papers like the New York Times required a special four-fold technique such that it took up only about six inches horizontally. And that tickling on your ass could be a pervert or just a corner of that lady's purse as the train swayed. No 'sta chite, mon.