March 31, 2020 

The propagation of the economic impact through supply chains: The case of a mega-city lockdown against the spread of COVID-19

https://arxiv.org/abs/2003.14002

This study quantifies the economic effect of a possible lockdown of Tokyo to prevent spread of COVID-19

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March 30, 2020 (Anaesthesia)

A. K. M. Chan, C. P. Nickson, J. W. Rudolph, A. Lee G. M. Joynt

Social media for rapid knowledge dissemination: early experience from the COVID‐19 pandemic. Anaesthesia

https://doi.org/10.1111/anae.15057

In this Editorial the authors argue that well‐designed free open access educational material should distil key information in a clear, actionable format, while paired with social media–powered dissemination using social networks, in addition to traditional communication methods. Utilising social media in this way has shown promise as a speedier alternative. The use of the principles of the Free Open Access Medical education (FOAM) networks further provide good examples of the effectiveness of making information freely available. Acknowledging the limitations of social media, the authors propose criteria to be implemented by users of professional social medial platforms to promote the responsible use of social media–disseminated information.

 

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March 25, 2020 (Lancet)

Parenting in a time of COVID-19

Lucie Cluver, Jamie M Lachman, Lorraine Sherr, Inge Wessels, Etienne Krug, Sabine Rakotomalala, Stephen Blight, Susan Hillis, Gretchen Bachman, Ohad Green, Alex Butchart, Mark Tomlinson, Catherine L Ward, Jennifer Doubt, and Kerida McDonald

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7146667/

The authors describe how several national and international organsisations are collaborating to provide open access online parenting resources during COVID-19. These resources focus on concrete tips to build positive relationships, divert and manage bad behaviour, and manage parenting stress. They are shared through social media.

 

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Mar 25, 2020 (CEPR Discussion Paper No. DP14511)

Stefano Ramelli and Alexander F. Wagner.nFeverish Stock Price Reactions to COVID-19

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3560319

This paper studies how markets adjust to the sudden emergence of previously neglected risks. It analyzed the stock price effects of the 2019 novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The authors also discusses a possible economic crisi scenario.  If you want to find out which sectors are most adversely affected, read on.

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March 24, 2020 (Nature Human Behavior)

Using social and behavioural science to support COVID-19 pandemic response

Van Bavel, J. J., et al.

https://psyarxiv.com/y38m9/

The Authors argue that because the COVID-19 pandemic crisis requires large-scale behaviour change and places significant psychological burdens on individuals, insights from the social and behavioural sciences can be used to help align human behavior with the recommendations of epidemiologists and public health experts. The authors discuss evidence from a selection of research topics relevant to pandemics, including work on navigating threats, social and cultural influences on behaviour, science communication, moral decision-making, leadership, and stress and coping. They note the nature and quality of prior research, including uncertainty and issues not settled. They identify several insights for effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and also highlight important gaps researchers should move quickly to fill in the coming weeks and months.

 

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March 23, 2020 (Lancet Infect Dis)

Scientific and ethical basis for social-distancing interventions against COVID-19

Joseph A Lewnarda and  Nathan C Lob

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7118670/

The authors argue that the effectiveness and societal impact of quarantine and social distancing will depend on the credibility of public health authorities, political leaders, and institutions. It is important that policy makers maintain the public's trust through use of evidence-based interventions and fully transparent, fact-based communication.

 

 

March 22, 2020 (SSRN)

Economic Effects of Coronavirus Outbreak (COVID-19) on the World Economy

Fernandes, Nuno

https://ssrn.com/abstract=3557504

This report discusses the economic impact of the Coronavirus/COVID-19 crisis across industries, and countries. It also provides estimates of the potential global economic costs of COVID-19, and the GDP growth of different countries. The current draft includes estimates for 30 countries, under different scenarios. The report also shows the economic effects of outbreak are currently being underestimated, due to over-reliance on historical comparisons with SARS, or the 2008/2009 financial crisis.

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March 13, 2020 (J. Risk Financial Manag)

Suspending Classes Without Stopping Learning: China’s Education Emergency Management Policy in the COVID-19 Outbreak

Wunong Zhang, Yuxin Wang, Lili Yang, and Chuanyi Wang

https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm13030055

(This article belongs to the Special Issue COVID-19’s Risk Management and Its Impact on the Economy)

The authors discuss an emergency policy initiative called “Suspending Classes Without Stopping Learning” that was launched by the Chinese government to continue teaching activities as schools across the country were closed to contain the Covid-19 virus. The authors report ambiguity and disagreement about what to teach, how to teach, the workload of teachers and students, the teaching environment, and the implications for education equity. The authors describe some of the difficulties and outline some possible solutions.

 

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March 12,  2020 (Social Health and Behavior) 

Social reaction toward the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

Lin CY

http://www.shbonweb.com/text.asp?2020/3/1/1/280554

In this editorial the author advocates there is a need to design an effective antistigma program that breaks the misperception in COVID-19, increases public's knowledge in COVID-19, and spreads encouraging positive and supportive messages. Such a program can be designed with the use of social media, given the high access rate in social media to combat misinformation, stigma and fear.

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March 10, 2020 

The COVID-19 Social Media Infodemic

https://arxiv.org/abs/2003.05004

The authors present the diffusion of information about the COVID-19 with a massive data analysis on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit and Gab

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March, 2020 (The Medical Journal of Australia)

Pre-emptive low cost social distancing and enhanced hygiene implemented before local COVID-19 transmission could decrease the number and severity of cases

https://www.mja.com.au/system/files/2020-03/FINAL%20Dalton%20preprint%20mja20.00300.pdf

A pre-emptive phase would  assist government, workplaces, schools and businesses to prepare for a more stringent phase. Low cost enhanced hygiene and social distancing measures should be considered.

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