News
The macroeconomics of age-varying epidemics
21 July 2020
A new working paper from Marta Giagheddu and Andrea Papetti illustrates the pros and cons of different combinations of economic shutdown and targeted social distancing with a special focus on the dimension of intergenerational contacts.
Influence of population heterogeneity on herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2
01 July 2020
MIT economist Glenn Ellison surveys the epidemiological literature on an SIR extension incorporating heterogeneity in the activity rates of different subpopulations, and notes ways in which analyses based on classic SIR models can potentially yield misleading views. In a similar spirit, a new study by mathematics professor Tom Britton shows that population heterogeneity can significantly impact disease-induced immunity.
Optimal dynamic confinement under uncertainty and learning
01 July 2020
In a new paper, network member Christian Gollier analyzes the uncertainty surrounding how contagious a virus is and how that affects optimal suppression.
Waning Immunity and the Second Wave: Some Projections for SARS-CoV-2
22 June 2020
Network member Flavio Toxvaerd with coauthors consider, in a new working paper, the optimal social distancing policy in an SEIRS model of the COVID-19 epidemic in which immunity wanes over time.