Category Archives: Pandemic

The Misguided Discussion of “Herd Immunity”

On the large gap between what the public and the scientific/medical community think about Covid-19 immunity, including testing for it.

Last Chance to Save the Euro?

The actions taken so far to salvage the single-currency union expose its fatal flaws. The last bout of stress will be a test to destruction if fundamental changes aren’t made.

The Coming Debt Crisis

Emerging market economies loaded up on debt after the crisis, which is now looking like a particularly bad move.

Angela Merkel Urged To Put European Solidarity Over German Interests and Back Coronabonds

Angela Merkel is under pressure to abandon her long-standing “Germany first” policy towards the EU. Will she finally relent?

Martin Wolf and Wishful Thinking on Ending Coronavirus Lockdowns

It would be nice to go back to something like the old normal. But the coronavirus is still very much in charge.

How to Pay for the Pandemic War

Government responsese to the pandemic are making a hash of one of the comparatively easy issues.

The FT Says It’s Time for the Bank of England to Start Direct Funding of the Government: Modern Monetary Theory Has Won the Day

Modern Monetary Theory has a new convert. Too bad Americans are behind the curve.

Cancer Patients Face Treatment Delays And Uncertainty As Coronavirus Cripples Hospitals

Coronavirus creates a terrible bind for cancer patients and their doctors.

India’s Poorest Now Have Access to Basic Bank Accounts, and Many Already Received their First Cash Stimulus Payment By Last Saturday; Meanwhile the IRS May Get You Your $1200 Check in Five Months

A tale of two stimuli: the Modi government has already made some direct deposits; some Americans will wait five months to receive checks.

Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, Some Pipeline Projects Push Forward While Others Falter Nationwide

Pipeline projects proceed, sometimes on a stealth basis, under cover of the COVID-19 crisis and despite the collapse of world oil prices.

Right to Repair and Ventilators: Saving COVID-19 Patients

The coronavirus crisis highlights the importance of ensuring wide access to repair information for lifesaving machines, such as ventilators.

Capitalism Has Failed in Fighting Coronavirus

The problem of policies aimed to return the economy to what it was before the virus hit is this: Global capitalism, by 2019, was itself a major cause of the collapse in 2020.