VoxEU, January 11, 2021, with Martin Gonzalez-Eiras. HTML.
Based on the CEPR discussion paper, we draw conclusions for the pandemic endgame. We explain why Israel will likely impose a harsher lockdown than other countries, especially poor ones. And why we should expect “inverse lockdowns”—measures to stimulate social interaction.
VoxEU, June 5, 2020, with Martin Gonzalez-Eiras. HTML.
A comparison of epidemiological models for use in economic analyses, based on the CEPR discussion paper.
CEPR Discussion Paper 14791, May 2020, with Martin Gonzalez-Eiras. PDF (local copy).
We contrast the canonical epidemiological SIR model due to Kermack and McKendrick (1927) with more tractable alternatives that offer similar degrees of “realism” and flexibility. We provide results connecting the different models which can be exploited for calibration purposes. We use the expected spread of COVID-19 in the United States to exemplify our results.
Covid Economics, April 2020, with Martin Gonzalez-Eiras. PDF.
We embed a lockdown choice in a simplified epidemiological model and derive formulas for the optimal lockdown intensity and duration. The optimal policy reflects the rate of time preference, epidemiological factors, the hazard rate of vaccine discovery, learning effects in the health care sector, and the severity of output losses due to a lockdown. In our baseline specification a Covid-19 shock as currently experienced by the US optimally triggers a reduction in economic activity by two thirds, for about 50 days, or approximately 9.5 percent of annual GDP.
CEPR Discussion Paper 14612, April 2020, with Martin Gonzalez-Eiras. PDF (local copy).
We embed a lockdown choice in a simplified epidemiological model and derive formulas for the optimal lockdown intensity and duration. The optimal policy reflects the rate of time preference, epidemiological factors, the hazard rate of vaccine discovery, learning effects in the health care sector, and the severity of output losses due to a lockdown. In our baseline specification a Covid-19 shock as currently experienced by the US optimally triggers a reduction in economic activity by two thirds, for about 50 days, or approximately 9.5 percent of annual GDP.
The first of a long sequence of nice papers on the virus by economists are out:
For more recent papers, see for example CEPR’s Covid Economics: Vetted and Real-Time Papers.
Data:
Estimates and forecasts:
Oxford University’s government response tracker.
Updated: March 26, April 26, …