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The RAND Blog

Employment and Unemployment
commentary
Is the Unemployment Rate Now Higher Than It Was in the Great Depression?
Jeffrey B. Wenger, Kathryn A. Edwards @keds_economist
May 7, 2020
The RAND Blog
The extent of COVID-19's effect on the labor market will be catastrophic for many workers and businesses. Matching the unemployment rate peak set by the Great Depression is not even necessary to establish the historic nature of the downturn that we're living through.
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Statistical Analysis Methodology
commentary
Don't Make the Pandemic Worse with Poor Data Analysis
Matthew D. Baird, David G. Groves, Osonde A. Osoba @OsondeOsoba, Andrew M. Parker, Ricardo Sanchez, Claude Messan Setodji
May 6, 2020
The RAND Blog
The need for immediate answers in the face of severe public health and economic distress may create a temptation to relax statistical standards. But urgency should not preclude expert analysis and honest assessments of uncertainty. Mistaken assumptions could lead to counterproductive actions.
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Capacity Building
commentary
Protecting the U.S. Supply on Heavy Lift Launch Vehicles
Bonnie L. Triezenberg
May 6, 2020
The RAND Blog
Our recent RAND report on the global heavy lift launch market highlights the potential for a near term shortage of launch vehicles needed to lift U.S. defense and intelligence satellites to orbit. These satellites are the eyes, ears, networks and timekeepers of U.S. armed services, and an inability to launch them in times of need could compromise national security.
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Missile Defense
commentary
Russian S-400 Surface-to-Air Missile System: Is It Worth the Sticker Price?
Peter A. Wilson, John V. Parachini
May 6, 2020
The RAND Blog
Many countries do not fully appreciate that effective air defense requires a networked system and not just one missile system component. Getting the true defensive value out of the S-400 surface-to-air system requires additional components that add costs and complexities.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
Jumpstarting the U.S.-Japan-Korea Trilateral Amid COVID-19
Scott W. Harold @ScottWHarold
May 6, 2020
The Diplomat
Since roughly 2012, South Korea–Japan ties have frayed. Could the United States encourage trilateral medical cooperation during the pandemic, ensure that the Tokyo Olympic Games are held, and in so doing help heal the relationship between Seoul and Tokyo?
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Science of Science
commentary
Leading with the Proper Use of Scientific Evidence Is Better Than Hiding Behind It
Tom Ling
May 5, 2020
The RAND Blog
Evidence only has scientific meaning when it is part of a body of disciplinary knowledge produced by a community of scientists. Leading with scientific evidence, coupled with a wider values framework, may result in better outcomes for all.
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Health Care Access
commentary
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation in the Time of COVID-19
Laura Fraade-Blanar, Christopher M. Whaley @cm_whaley
May 5, 2020
The RAND Blog
More widespread availability of rideshare for non-emergency medical transport may save lives, reserve emergency resources for those who need them, and provide safe pathways to primary care for the chronically ill. It could also save livelihoods, providing employment in a time of economic hardship.
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China
commentary
Don't Be Fooled by China's Mask Diplomacy
Jeffrey W. Hornung
May 5, 2020
Los Angeles Times
China has provided coronavirus-related aid to hundreds of countries. This appears to be an effort to make the world forget its role in the COVID-19 crisis, and to take advantage of its neighbors' current distraction.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
Reviewing Vietnam's 'Struggle' Options in the South China Sea
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman
May 4, 2020
The Diplomat
Once again, Chinese assertiveness against Vietnam in the South China Sea is on the rise. Vietnam has publicly protested each Chinese move, but these statements have yet to alter Beijing's bad behavior. Among its many options, Hanoi could look to Washington for further assistance.
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Security Cooperation
commentary
There's Still Life in the U.S.-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman
May 4, 2020
Foreign Policy
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced that he would terminate the U.S.-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). Washington and Manila have until August 9 to save it or negotiate a new VFA to avert any further alliance crisis.
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Health Care Services Capacity
commentary
Don't Waste This Crisis: How America Can Begin Building a System of Health
Tim McDonald, Christopher Nelson, Laurie T. Martin, Anita Chandra
May 4, 2020
The RAND Blog
COVID-19 is shining a harsh spotlight on long-recognized but under-addressed gaps in the U.S. health system. There may never have been a more pressing time to think differently, broadening from health care services to a health-producing System of Health.
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Education Curriculum
commentary
New Teacher Survey Shows That Digital Materials Were Not Optimal Before the Pandemic. Now That They Are Front and Center, How Should They Be Used?
Katie Tosh, Julia H. Kaufman @juliahkaufman
May 4, 2020
The RAND Blog
Schools and teachers can support student learning during the COVID-19 crisis by considering how to keep curricula front and center alongside a set of targeted digital materials that connect with curricula and can keep students learning, engaged, and connected to their school support systems.
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Educational Equity
commentary
Digital Learning Needs to Benefit All Children When Schools Close
Axelle Devaux @AxelleDevaux
May 4, 2020
EU Reporter
Three factors are essential for any digital learning method. First, it must be inclusive. Second, it should support the learning experience, not replace it. And third, evidence of what works should inform digital learning interventions.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
commentary
Planning for the Upcoming Hurricane Season in Light of COVID-19
Aaron Clark-Ginsberg, Gary Cecchine @GaryCecchine, Craig Fugate, Craig A. Bond
May 4, 2020
Vox
What if Hurricane Katrina had hit during a pandemic? Emergency planners can prepare for this scenario by evaluating current response system capacity, evacuation and sheltering procedures, food and supply issues, and more.
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Community Health and Well-Being
q&a
Reopening America—The Health and Economic Trade-Offs: Q&A with RAND Experts
May 4, 2020
Local and state officials are thinking through whether, when, and how to lift social-distancing restrictions. We asked three RAND researchers about the complex problem of reopening.
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