Protecting Both Public Health and the Economy, a Global Pandemic Response, and More

May 22, 2020

Desperation and social isolation were already prevalent in the United States before COVID-19. Carol Graham and Benjamin Miller argue that the pandemic will only exacerbate these issues at a time when the country’s social safety nets are fragile and Americans are being forced into isolation for public safety.

“It is clear that the American people are ready to support working with other countries to stop the pandemic everywhere. The health and safety of the American people, along with our compassion, demands no less.” George Ingram writes about how Americans feel about a coordinated, global response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Businesses are reopening and employees are being asked to risk their lives to return to work. Joshua Gotbaum argues that Congress should implement liability protection and hazard pay to protect both businesses and workers as the economy begins to reopen.

A note on the Brookings response to COVID-19:

The Brookings Institution campus in Washington, D.C. will be closed through at least September 7. For more information, read our full guidance here. As Brookings experts continue to assess the global impacts of COVID-19, read the latest analysis and policy recommendations at our coronavirus page or stay up to date with our coronavirus newsletter.

The conclusions and recommendations of any Brookings publication are solely those of its author(s), and do not reflect the views of the Institution, its management, or its other scholars.

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