Research Insights: How Can Public Policies Curb Pandemics?
Peer Reviewed
Date issued
Dec 2023
Subject
Public Policy;
Disease;
Population Aging;
Quarantine;
Pandemic;
Lockdown;
Coronavirus;
Health;
Economy;
Spanish Flu;
Gross Domestic Product;
Social Distancing
JEL code
E17 - Forecasting and Simulation: Models and Applications;
C63 - Computational Techniques • Simulation Modeling;
D62 - Externalities;
I10 - Health: General;
I18 - Government Policy • Regulation • Public Health
Country
United States
Category
Catalogs and Brochures
In general, stringent lockdowns are warranted when a diseases infectiousness is high, but less so when only a diseases deadliness is elevated. Optimal lockdown policies for some infectious diseases include imposing different restrictions on different age groups. Intensive testing enables a less restrictive lockdown, reduces GDP losses, and facilitates a quicker easing of restrictions.
