It’s no exaggeration to say that the fate of the world, or at least the global economy, appears to hang on the possibility of scientists and doctors creating a vaccine for COVID-19 and either producing new drugs or — more realistically for the urgent needs of the present — discovering effective treatments among […]
Tag: Covid-19
Behavioral science can help fight pandemics
“Using behavioural science to help fight the coronavirus” By ESRI The spread of the coronavirus could be slowed using findings from behavioural science, according to a new ESRI research paper. The conclusion is based on more than 100 scientific research papers reviewed over the past week by the institute’s Behavioural Research Unit. […]
Germany must ensure liquidity to deal with trade collapse
“Corona crisis – liquidity takes priority” By Prof. Dr. Michael Grömling, Dr. Martin Beznoska, and Dr. Markus Demary, courtesy of IW Koeln In China it became apparent how an epidemic can directly affect the production potential of an economy when large numbers of workers have to be quarantined. Through a variety of intermediate […]
Facing coronavirus, “EU solidarity must be more than an empty slogan”
“Europe under siege” By Fabian Zuleeg and Janis Emmanouilidis, courtesy of EPC The European Union (EU) and its member states have been hit hard by COVID-19 – but the worst is yet to come. Tragically, more people will lose their lives. Now, the highest priority for Europe’s healthcare systems must be to do what […]
Spain faces tough choices for economic stimulus, qualitative reforms needed
“Will economic measures against the coronavirus be effective?” By Hugo Pereira, courtesy of Civismo We are, without a doubt, facing a historic moment. The coronavirus not only infected people, but practically all of the social spheres: politics, the economy, and even our own psychology. We have come to realize that we are not as […]
Freed from regulatory shackles, drug firms step up on COVID-19 testing
“Temporarily Unshackled Private Sector Responds to Demand for More Coronavirus Tests” By Jeffrey Singer, courtesy of the Cato Institute I and others have attributed much of the initially flat‐footed response of public health officials to the coronavirus pandemic to cumbersome, inflexible, and outdated regulations controlling the development and distribution of drugs and tests. As I pointed […]
States can’t act in place of feds during a pandemic
The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of federal action in coordinating emergency public health response, according to a commentary in Fortune by Fanyin Zheng, an assistant professor of the Decision, Risk, and Operations Division of Columbia Business School. In the op-ed, titled “States cannot fight coronavirus alone. The federal government must […]
Individual responsibility now, or face illiberal regimes soon
“Private and state responsibility in pandemic times” By Dr. Peter Grünenfelder, courtesy of Avenir Suisse Anarchists and libertarians have one mistake in common: both believe that a community can function without sovereign institutions. Classic liberals have never had anything to do with such enthusiasms. Whether Immanuel Kant, John Locke or Montesquieu, they were […]
New Yorkers Wage Quiet Battle Against Invisible Foe
In the end, it all happened quickly: In the space of a few days, life has shut down in a city that’s famous for never sleeping. A week ago, there was still dancing in the city’s clubs, dining in its gourmet restaurants and learning in its schools. Now all that has stopped. New York City’s […]
Time to Bring Back Copper in Public Spaces?
By Sandra Wirtz, courtesy of American Resources Policy Network Rock beats scissors. Scissors beat paper. Copper beats coronavirus. It sounds flippant, but at this moment of utmost seriousness, there’s a truth to it. In a new piece, senior writer for Fast Company Mark Wilson discusses the thesis of Bill Keevil, […]