Episode 71: In this AMA, David answers 12 questions [see below] on the social-economic-political impacts of coronavirus and Covid-19.

Blog post on C-19 and climate change

https://one-handed-economist.com/?p=1691

Do less, better research

http://www.the100.ci/2020/03/26/crisis-research-fast-and-slow/

Good for sustainability?

https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2020/03/26/the-epidemic-provides-a-chance-to-do-good-by-the-climate

Big Brother will save you

https://www.economist.com/briefing/2020/03/26/countries-are-using-apps-and-data-networks-to-keep-tabs-on-the-pandemic

https://dissidentvoice.org/2020/03/coronavirus-vs-the-mass-surveillance-state-which-poses-the-greater-threat/

Questions

Diego from the Netherlands: Is is probable that there will be a big financial crisis (2008 level or worse)? :)

Isaura from Portugal: The world economy right now is doing pretty bad. Stocks are down, industries are temporarily shut and there's a 2008-magnitude recession coming. How much can we blame covid-19 for what is happening right now? Is the virus just hurrying the crisis or are is it the main cause of it?

Damian from Berkeley: Most recessions have vague causes, but this one's cause is obvious. If C19 disappears, things will resume, perhaps better than before (due to reforms, etc.). Would this imply a WWII, rather than 2008 scenario? What are the lessons of WWII? Also, if WWII is the scenario, then stimulus is inappropriate, right? -- except to help people survive. Or, are there macroeconomic worries that economic policy can address?

Robert from Boulder: Are you aware of ways to regionally forecast virus-spread based on a computer model with data on weather, sick people, etc? Could we use a model to avoid shutting down low-risk areas?

Gabi from Den Haag: is there going to be a sustained disruption in how we manage our economy? Maybe we shoudnt outsource so much? Maybe we care too much for meaningless things? and WHY toilet paper?!?!?

Antoine from Switzerland: With a synchronised experiment of working from home, what will happen with productivity? Will some people realize they have nothing to do? Will academics write dozens of (useful) papers?

Edward from the Netherlands: What are your expectations regarding Universal Basic Income in the context of the corona crisis? Do you expect this to go through, and if so, do you expect it to linger past the initial shocks?

Hannah from Den Haag: Do you agree with Naomi Klein's Shock Doctrine theory where she claims the crisis will be used to transform social and cultural values into capitalistic power and profits?

Judi from Leiden: Can this Corona crisis be a game changer towards more economic equality in the world in the longer run, or is it more likely to ultimately make things worse?

Daniel from Den Haag: Do you think there will be violent social movements towards restructuring our current business-as-usual economy?

Daniela from Peru: Do you think this crisis will have a long-term impact on sustainable practices?

Isaura from Portugal: Portugal’s Prime-Minister declared a state of emergency, and people's lives are paused. Assuming you have watched Black Mirror, then how would you "end" the episode?