Archive for the ‘Coronavirus’ Tag
Link: https://www.npr.org/2021/03/31/983097569/the-virtual-office
Virtual reality (VR) might be the future of meetings in the office. With COVID-19 keeping people at home in online meeting spaces such as Zoom, VR is now being used by many businesses to join up for meetings. There is even more interest and investment happening in the field of VR making it currently worth around $16 billion and is expected to double within the next 5 years. The Indicator team discusses their experience with the virtual reality world and its growing market.
Original Air Date: March 31, 2021
Length: 9 minutes 59 seconds
Link: https://www.npr.org/2020/08/07/900273012/mask-communication
This podcast uses behavioral economics to analyze the reasons why people may refuse to wear masks. Economists believe when these individuals feel external constraints on their freedoms, they feel even less inclined to wear a mask. Behavioral economists discuss nudges/incentives that could be effective in this situation.
Original Air Date: August 7, 2020
Length: 26 minutes 26 seconds
Discussion Prompt: What are some other incentives you can think of that would influence more widespread mask wearing?
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?
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