Archive for the ‘Coronavirus Economic Crisis’ Category
Link: https://www.npr.org/2020/04/07/829264795/coronavirus-and-the-gig-economy
Delivery and service workers are considered essential right now. Without them, the economy would likely be in even more trouble than it already is. That being said, they are paid a very low wage, and some are not even being provided with adequate protection such as masks and gloves.
Original Air Date: April 7, 2020
Length: 9 minutes 56 seconds
Discussion Prompt: With the current increased demand for Instacart and other grocery delivery services, do you think demand will stay high after the pandemic? Use economic thinking to analyze what you think is happening in the market now. How do you think will this market change once the pandemic ends?
Link: https://www.npr.org/2020/04/01/825639315/three-ideas-to-fight-the-recession
Many economists believe the stimulus provided in the CARES Act may end up not being enough to combat the current economic downturn. Economists are suggesting three things: using automatic triggers, such as a rise in the unemployment rate, to trigger future payments by the government; allowing individuals to receive their money through mobile apps such as Venmo; and allowing small businesses to refinance existing debt.
Original Air Date: April 1, 2020
Length: 9 minutes 20 seconds
Written Assignment Prompt: Discuss the pros and cons of the ideas discussed in this podcast. Which, if any, do you think will have the best impact on the economy? What ideas can you come up with that may help combat the effects of this recession?
Link: https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2020/04/01/economist-ethicist-coronavirus
This podcast discusses how part of the economic solution could actually save lives by providing assistance to the healthcare system. Large scale randomized testing may be critical in order to acquire more accurate data on the spread of the virus. In addition, they discuss the importance of complete transparency with government agents.
Original Air Date: April 1, 2020
Length: 47 minutes 9 seconds
Discussion Prompt: What is the idea at the root of this framing of the question as a tradeoff between saving the economy versus saving lives? After listening to this podcast, is it possible to save the economy and combat the pandemic? Do you think there is indeed a tradeoff? Why or why not?
Discussion Prompt: Do you think how the U.S. is handling the pandemic will spark change in the healthcare system?
Link: https://www.npr.org/2020/03/31/824886286/episode-987-the-race-to-make-ventilators
In the wake of the Covid-19 crisis, the healthcare industry is experiencing a shortage of ventilators. Without increased production, hundreds of thousands of individuals will die. Now, companies that have little to no experience producing ventilators are beginning to help supply them.
Original Air Date: March 31, 2020
Length: 24 minutes 3 seconds
Discussion Prompt: In what ways does this policy align with economic thinking? In what ways is it ‘out of step’ with economic thinking? Is this the most efficient way to produce ventilators, at least for the time being? How can the government incentivize companies to stay open and help produce parts for ventilators during this time?
Link: https://www.marketplace.org/shows/make-me-smart-with-kai-and-molly/what-are-we-not-talking-about-while-were-talking-about-coronavirus/
Credit card companies are not lowering APRs at the moment, leaving people worried about the future of their credit. Apple recently purchased the weather app, “Dark Sky”, removing competition from the market. Global carbon emissions are down and air pollution has also cleared in major cities, but many important climate issues are also being over looked.
Original Air Date: April 1, 2020
Length: 15 minutes 32 seconds
Written Assignment Prompt: Find a recent news article about an important topic besides corona virus. Write 2-3 paragraphs about the importance of this topic and what impact limited news coverage may have on the issue.
Link: https://www.npr.org/2020/03/27/822944544/episode-986-america-unemployed
Within the past week, over 3 million people have filed for unemployment, a record number in the United States. Unemployment insurance was intended to help people, while also providing motivation to seek work. Seeking work, however, is close to impossible when you cannot leave your home.
Original Air Date: March 28, 2020
Length: 22 minutes 58 seconds
Discussion Prompt: What are the incentives inherent in the unemployment insurance policy? Do you believe the pandemic will change who qualifies for unemployment/how accessible unemployment benefits in either the short- or the long-run?
Link: https://www.npr.org/2020/03/18/817995238/chinas-new-normal
China has been in lock down for over a month and a half. China has finally started to get things under control through travel restrictions and mandatory quarantining. Life is slowly beginning to go back to normal, indicating that things will get better.
Original Air Date: March 18, 2020
Length: 8 minutes 38 seconds
Discussion Prompt: What can other countries take away from China’s response to Covid-19? What should other countries do differently?
