As many regions lift public health measures and restart their economies, uncertainties around COVID-19 case reduction might persist. Both the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predict a possible COVID-19 resurgence in the fall. Since the development of a vaccine is still uncertain, McKinsey & Company advises companies and governments…Read More

Consumer expenditure patterns have been greatly disrupted by the lockdowns and social-distancing policies in many countries. In this article, the author attempts to demonstrate bias measurement in the Consumer Price Indices (CPIs) used to measure inflation. Using estimates obtained from US credit and debit card transactions, the author shows that the basket mostly consumed during…Read More

Using data from two waves of a survey conducted in March and April 2020 in eight OECD countries, the authors found that women are more likely to see COVID-19 as a very serious health problem. The gender differences in attitudes and behaviours were significant in all countries and remained robust after controlling for various sociodemographic,…Read More

Using data from U.S. cities, along with a sample of other countries, the authors find a negative correlation between the health outcomes (such as mortality rates) for the COVID-19 and Spanish flu pandemics. Places relatively unaffected by the Spanish flu in 1918 were more likely affected during the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic…Read More

To better understand how the stock market reacted to the COVID-19 pandemic, this study analyzes stock prices and future earnings estimates from the Institutional Broker’s Estimate System (IBES) database. First, the authors describe expectations dynamics about future corporate earnings. They show that the term structure of earnings expectations has shifted over the course of March,…Read More

Using a variety of case studies from across the United States, the author investigates the quality of COVID-19 status indicators, as well as social and health policies, used to contain the virus at the local level. Effective status indicators must produce reliable, accurate, timely information about the local trends, spread, and other key indicators, such…Read More

Since the Gini coefficient (a statistical measure of income distribution) increased globally following other recent pandemics such as H1N1, the authors investigate the potential impact of COVID-19 on income inequality. The dataset draws from various sources, including the World Bank and the International Labour Organization. The authors estimate impulse response functions to analyze the possible…Read More

During the COVID-19 pandemic, those over 80 years of age face a mortality rate five times higher than other age groups. This United Nations policy brief elaborates on these impacts and identifies both immediate and longer-term policy responses needed to protect the elderly. They recommend strengthening older people’s social inclusion and solidarity during physical distancing.…Read More