Category Archives: Pandemic

COVID Testing and Contact Tracing in RI, the UK, and NYC: a Personal Anecdote/Saga

Pandemic theatre?

The Fed’s New Policy Framework: A Major Improvement But More Can Be Done

The Fed’s new policy strategy of average inflation targeting is an unambiguously a positive step, but may not – under all circumstances – subscribe to a sufficiently aggressive make-up strategy when the zero lower bound is binding.

Waste Watch: New York Begins Enforcing Plastic Bag Ban

New York begins to enforce its ban on single-use plastic bags, delayed since March by the pandemic and various lawsuits.

COVID-19: Examining Theories for Africa’s Low Death Rates

Countries throughout Africa, like India, are recording lower rates of COVID-19 deaths. The authors examine reasons for this phenomenon.

Paul Romer Comes Out Against Contact Tracing in the United States (which Biden Supports)

Can exhortation from the PMC make contact tracing a success?

Pandemic Causes Food Security to Wobble, While Much of Rural India Still Continues to be Underfed

The pandemic has caused global food security to wobble. Meanwhile, a recent paper shows most rural indians continue to be underfed.

WHO is Right: Lockdowns Should Be Short and Sharp. Here Are 4 Other Essential COVID-19 Strategies

As cases of COVID-19 spike yet again in the US and Europe, what public health measures have successfully stemmed the pandemic’s spread?

Eating More Chocolate: A Cure for Pandemic Fatigue?

Europe and the USA succumb to pandemic fatigue. Vigilance is the only known counter to spread of the virus. Practice small pleasures.

How To Break the Covid Doom Loop

Are repetitive short lockdowns a viable way to tame Covid-19?

Brexit: Standoff

Will Johnson pull the Brexit plug today, or decide to fight another day?

Pandemics and Inequality: A Historical Overview

The record of pandemics past shows that only devastating mortality rates reduce inequality.

College Enrollments Drop Due to Covid, Adding to Budget Damage

College enrollments fall, consistent with predictions that Covid would hit them hard.

Why Saudi Arabia May Be Forced To Start Another Oil Price War

Poor oil price prospects may lead to another race to the bottom.

EU Wins WTO Ruling on Boeing Subsidies, Following WTO Ruling for the US on Airbus Subsidies. Tariff War On?

WTO rulings on tit-for-tat aircraft manufacturer disputes look likely to produce dueling tariffs at least in the near term.