Experts across world continue to highlight the need to reopen economies to limit the economic upheaval caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, some believe that unless testing capabilities are ramped up, reopening the economy may result in an upsurge in infection rate. A testing ramp up with limited lockdown measures may be the most optimal solution to reopening the economy.

Kaushik Basu

Kaushik Basu, Professor of Economics at Cornell University, shared a chart comparing the mortality rates across various countries. He noted that the mortality rates are so different that emerging economies cannot blindly imitate the economic policies of those implemented by European and North American nations.

Basu added that economic revival will depend on a limited lockdown that will enable the economy to function.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Axel Mangelsdorf

Axel Mangelsdorf, an economist and consultant, shared a tweet on the testing capabilities of China. The country tested nine million people in ten days at an average of 1.4 million per day, following an upsurge in cases in Wuhan.

Sampled pooling method was used for the mass testing regimen resulting in 180 asymptomatic cases, which were isolated. Despite scepticism regarding the mass testing, China was able to test nine million people in Wuhan. The country eventually plans to test all of the city 11 million people.

Barrett Kirwan

Barrett Kirwan, senior economist at Amazon.com, shared an article on the need for developing more tests. He noted that considering the level of GDP that is being lost due to the Covid-19 pandemic, more funds should be spent on developing tests.

The article notes that the best strategy to deal with outbreak and relax lockdown measures would be to develop a system of targeted testing. By testing each citizen with a test that costs approximately $20, the total cost would be $6.6bn, which is less than one tenth of the cost of the Cares Act.

Stephen Koukoulas

Stephen Koukoulas, an economist, shared an article on the Australian government’s $60bn JobKeeper Payment scheme. The scheme aimed to pay $1,500 per fortnight per employee to businesses that retained their staff and passed on the payment to them. If the business closed or the employees were sacked, they would not receive the payment.

The article noted that though the scheme looked simple, the delay in making the payments forced businesses to sack their employees. The rules and regulations related to the scheme made some businesses ineligible, resulting in its failure.

https://twitter.com/TheKouk/status/126479740741961728