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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Immigrants and Emigrants
commentary
The Public Charge Rule's Likely Hazard to Our Nation's Health During COVID-19
Kathryn Pitkin Derose
Apr 6, 2020
The Hill
The Public Charge rule makes immigrants who receive Medicaid and other publicly-funded benefits potentially ineligible for green cards, and, in some cases, subjects them to deportation. Fear and reluctance to seek assistance among immigrants is likely to worsen during the COVID-19 epidemic.
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Employment and Unemployment
commentary
Millions Need Unemployment Benefits. Unfortunately, the Delivery System Is Broken
Kathryn A. Edwards
Apr 6, 2020
Los Angeles Times
More than 10 million Americans filed for unemployment insurance in March as businesses closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The stimulus package passed in March enacted welcome measures to tide people over, but these temporary fixes don't address the structural problems that will continue to plague unemployment benefit programs after the infusion of cash runs out.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
commentary
During Coronavirus Pandemic, Can Congress Members Do Their Jobs by Teleworking?
Quentin E. Hodgson @QHodgson
Apr 6, 2020
Fox News Channel
The COVID-19 pandemic presents a new challenge to how Congress conducts business. How can the United States leverage existing technologies so lawmakers can continue to work safely and securely?
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Workforce Management
commentary
Should the Federal Workforce Stay Remote? Planning for After the Crisis
Kathryn A. Edwards, Melanie A. Zaber, Richard S. Girven
Apr 3, 2020
The RAND Blog
As physical distancing becomes the new norm, so too does telework. But should federal agencies maintain their remote operations for the long haul? As those of us involved with national security agencies, operations, and workforce issues know, this is not a decision to make lightly.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
blog
COVID-19's Effects on Mental Health, Food Access, and Education: RAND Weekly Recap
Apr 3, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on COVID-19 and mental health, food security challenges during the pandemic, supporting children while schools are closed, and more.
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Occupational Health and Safety
commentary
Forgotten on the Frontlines of the Food Supply Chain
Susan L. Marquis @susanlmarquis
Apr 3, 2020
The RAND Blog
The working and living conditions of farmworkers make practicing social distancing, self-isolation, or quarantine impossible. In the food supply, farmworkers are the first responders who keep the supply chains going. FEMA, the CDC, and state governments should include farmworkers and agricultural communities in their emergency response plans.
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Affordable Care Act
commentary
What If the Supreme Court Strikes Down the ACA During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Christine Eibner @Chrissyeibner, Courtney A. Gidengil @c_gidengil
Apr 3, 2020
The Hill
With COVID-19 spreading across the United States, the fate of the Affordable Care Act is once again up in the air, hanging on the outcome of a Supreme Court case. Should the law be overturned, upwards of 20 million people could lose their health insurance during one of the deadliest pandemics in modern history.
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Education Curriculum
commentary
Schools Pivot Online in Wake of COVID-19: Q&A with RAND Experts
Apr 2, 2020
The RAND Blog
Nearly all school-age children in the United States are no longer in the classroom as districts shut down to reduce the spread of the new coronavirus. RAND education researchers discuss how this situation might exacerbate educational inequities, how districts and teachers are innovating and what they need, and what parents can do.
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North Korea
commentary
North Korea: Denying COVID-19
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett, Diana Myers
Apr 2, 2020
The National Interest
According to Pyongyang, North Korea has not yet suffered any cases of COVID-19. That would be surprising, since it is a neighbor and extensive trading partner of China. There are signs that this claim is yet another North Korean deception.
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Social and Emotional Learning
commentary
Online Doesn't Have to Mean Impersonal
Laura S. Hamilton @HamiltonLauraS, John F. Pane @JohnFPane, Elizabeth D. Steiner
Apr 2, 2020
The 74 Million
Children's needs extend beyond the purely academic. It is important that their social and emotional well-being is supported as instruction moves online during the COVID-19 pandemic. A whole-child view of what students need could benefit them now more than ever.
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Medical Professionals
commentary
Amidst a Pandemic, a Mental Health Crisis May Be Looming
Sangeeta C. Ahluwalia, Carrie M. Farmer @carriefarmer, Mahshid Abir
Apr 1, 2020
The RAND Blog
The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care workers' mental health could be significant and could weaken the U.S. health care system's ability to resolve the current crisis and survive over the long term. Interventions to promote psychological well-being should be implemented now.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
commentary
The COVID-19 Crisis Has Sparked Innovation and Offers Lessons We Must Not Forget
Sonja Marjanovic @SonjaCambs
Apr 1, 2020
The RAND Blog
COVID-19 has shocked the world and caught most countries unprepared, forcing them to improvise how best to protect the health of their populations. But amid all the confusion and fear, the power of individuals, organizations, and communities to think differently and to innovate shows what can be achieved when people are united by common, clear priorities and necessity.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
commentary
Economic Consequences of COVID-19 in the Middle East: Implications for U.S. National Security
Daniel Egel, Charles P. Ries @charles_ries, Howard J. Shatz @HowardJShatz
Apr 1, 2020
The RAND Blog
The global COVID-19 pandemic will have a dramatic impact on economies across the globe, but the Middle East may be particularly affected given the simultaneous fall in oil prices. The economic consequences of this pandemic are also likely to affect U.S. interests in the region.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
commentary
Implement Critical Care Surge Strategies Now to Save Lives
Mahshid Abir, Kaitlyn Entel, Christopher Nelson
Apr 1, 2020
Health Affairs Blog
As COVID-19 continues to spread, hospitals are bracing for a surge of patients requiring critical care. To meet the demand, U.S. health care facilities may need to fundamentally change the way they allocate space, staff, and equipment.
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Military Health and Health Care
commentary
Pandemics and the U.S. Military: Lessons from 1918
Michael Shurkin @MichaelShurkin
Apr 1, 2020
War on the Rocks
Military leaders today face a more benign security environment than their predecessors did during the 1918 Spanish flu. The U.S. military is engaged in operations abroad, but it's not fighting a great-power war. The Pentagon has every reason to focus on stemming the COVID-19 pandemic even if it has to absorb some downgrade in readiness.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
commentary
After the Coronavirus: America Needs to Reengage with the World, Not Retreat from It
Krishna B. Kumar @kbkumar_, James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins
Apr 1, 2020
USA Today
The COVID-19 pandemic should lead to a further strengthening of the national and international response capacity. The alternative of erecting barriers and closing America off to the world would leave it more vulnerable to the next big shock.
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Food Supply
commentary
Food Access: Challenges and Solutions Brought on by COVID-19
Sameer M. Siddiqi @Sameer_Siddiqi, Jonathan Cantor, Tamara Dubowitz @TamaraDubowitz, Andrea Richardson, Patricia Ann Stapleton, Yael Katz
Mar 31, 2020
The RAND Blog
For the 14.3 million American households already experiencing food insecurity before the pandemic, shutdowns and restrictions have created new layers of hardship. Tremendous efforts are already underway to help. But the weeks to come will surely demand more creative solutions from the public and private sectors.
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Adolescent Health
commentary
School May Be Suspended, but Sleep Schedules Shouldn't Be
Wendy M. Troxel @wendytroxel
Mar 31, 2020
TED.com
People sleep better when they follow consistent daily and nightly routines. These days, the school bell isn't ringing for most of our kids, and it's up to parents to ensure that children and teens get the sleep they need during these stressful and uncertain times.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
commentary
On the Horns of the COVID-19 Dilemma
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein, James Giordano
Mar 30, 2020
CNN
COVID-19 poses two dire threats to the United States: the potential deaths of many thousands of Americans, and the devastation of the $22 trillion annual economy. Protecting the health of as many people as possible by shutting down ordinary life seems completely justifiable, but that necessarily inflicts damage to the economy. This is truly a dilemma.
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Long-Term Care
commentary
Should You Consider Taking a Loved One Out of a Long-Term Care Facility Now?
Lori Frank @LoriBethFrank, Sharon Inouye, Gary Epstein-Lubow, Robyn Stone, Lewis Lipsitz
Mar 30, 2020
NextAvenue
As modern living is changing during this pandemic, so is assisted living. Already, many of us are facing difficult decisions about whether someone we know should stay in an assisted living facility or be taken out due to the coronavirus crisis. If you're in the position to bring someone to hunker down with you, is it even a good idea?
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
blog
COVID-19 and the Economy, America's Blood Supply, 10 Years of the ACA: RAND Weekly Recap
Mar 27, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on COVID-19 and the economy, strengthening the U.S. blood supply, 10 years of the Affordable Care Act, and more.
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Middle East
commentary
COVID-19 Impacts on Strategic Dynamics in the Middle East
Dalia Dassa Kaye
Mar 26, 2020
The RAND Blog
The pandemic is sure to have transformational effects everywhere, and the Middle East is no exception. But it's unlikely that the crisis will lead to new regional strategic dynamics. Rather, it's more likely to reinforce existing and largely negative trend lines.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
q&a
The Economic Wallop of COVID-19: Q&A with RAND Experts
Mar 26, 2020
As Washington continues to weigh economic responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, here are insights from RAND experts on how aid money might be best allocated, how this crisis compares to the 2008 recession, what business communities can do right now, and more.
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Students
commentary
Navigating College and Career Readiness in a Time of Uncertainty
Melanie A. Zaber, Laura S. Hamilton @HamiltonLauraS
Mar 26, 2020
The RAND Blog
How we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic today will likely have longer-term effects. This means that we need to think about people who are actively preparing for that future: high school students looking to enter college and careers.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
blog
Experts Discuss COVID-19: RAND Weekly Recap
Mar 20, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on COVID-19, how the United States is responding to the coronavirus outbreak, the spread of misinformation during this time, and more.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
q&a
The Social Distancing Economy: Q&A with RAND Experts
Mar 18, 2020
Congress and the White House are weighing economic policies to help people acutely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Here are insights from RAND experts on what might be effective in terms of fiscal policy, stimulus spending, and emergency relief to affected workers.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
q&a
U.S. COVID-19 Cases on the Rise: Q&A with RAND Experts
Mar 18, 2020
COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, is now in all 50 states. And more and more U.S. cases and deaths are being reported. As orders to close schools and restaurants take effect across America, RAND researchers answer some questions about the crisis.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
q&a
Truth Decay in the Coronavirus Moment: Q&A with Jennifer Kavanagh
Mar 17, 2020
Jennifer Kavanagh, who wrote the RAND book Truth Decay about the diminishing role that facts play in making important public policy decisions, calls the unfolding situation with the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 a worst-case scenario.
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Sleep
commentary
Why Prioritizing Sleep in the Time of Coronavirus Is So Important
Wendy M. Troxel @wendytroxel
Mar 17, 2020
Thrive Global
The coronavirus has required many people to drastically alter their daily schedules, which can wreak havoc on sleep. But there are simple strategies that can help support sleep and well-being during this trying time.
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Telemedicine
commentary
Coronavirus, Telemedicine, and Dustbusters
Ateev Mehrotra, Lori Uscher-Pines
Mar 16, 2020
The RAND Blog
Telemedicine has been with us for decades. And yet it hasn't transformed health care in the way that ATMs have transformed banking or cordless vacuums have transformed household cleaning. But the coronavirus pandemic could forever change how telemedicine is used.
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Postsecondary Education
commentary
Coronavirus Forces Colleges Online. Will Learning Ever Be the Same?
Charles A. Goldman, Rita Karam
Mar 16, 2020
Fox News Channel
Colleges and universities have turned to online courses to help slow the spread of COVID-19. But distance learning may also hold promise as a long-term strategy to help make higher education more accessible and affordable.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
blog
COVID-19, Out-of-Network Hospital Payments, Russia's Economy: RAND Weekly Recap
Mar 13, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on COVID-19, limiting out-of-network hospital payments, Russia's sluggish economy, and more.
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Health Care Services Capacity
commentary
COVID-19: A Stress Test for a U.S. Health Care System Already Under Stress
Mahshid Abir, Christina Cutter, Christopher Nelson
Mar 12, 2020
Health Affairs Blog
There are many things hospitals and health systems could be doing in the coming weeks to best prepare for the advancing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Evaluating their surge response plans will be critical.
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Mortality
commentary
Estimates of COVID-19's Fatality Rate Might Change. And Then Change Again.
Raffaele Vardavas, Courtney A. Gidengil @c_gidengil, Sarah A. Nowak
Mar 11, 2020
The RAND Blog
With infections of the new coronavirus confirmed in countries around the world, people are following the daily tally of COVID-19 cases, wondering exactly how lethal this new disease is. The truth is, it's hard to know.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
commentary
A Coronavirus Election? Look to the Bottom of the Ticket
Patrick Roberts @RamblingRoberts
Mar 9, 2020
The Washington Post
As the coronavirus spreads in communities, it will be mayors, county judges, and school superintendents—not federal officials—who make the tough calls about whether to declare a state of emergency or shutter public schools and other institutions.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
blog
Coronavirus Outbreak, Drones, the U.S. Power Grid: RAND Weekly Recap
Mar 6, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on the intensifying coronavirus outbreak, cyber threats from drones, the vulnerabilities of the U.S. power grid, and more.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
q&a
Coronavirus Outbreak Intensifies: Q&A with RAND Experts
Mar 5, 2020
Cases of the coronavirus have now spread to several dozens of countries, infecting thousands and thousands of people across the globe. With concerns about the disease rising, we asked a group of RAND researchers to answer a wide range of questions about the crisis.
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Education Reform
blog
Community Schools, Brexit, Coronavirus: RAND Weekly Recap
Jan 31, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on the promise of community schools, the costs of uncertainty after Brexit, the coronavirus, and more.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
commentary
Is Coronavirus Another SARS?
Jennifer Bouey @BoueyHuang
Jan 28, 2020
The World Post
In 2002, the SARS pandemic infected more than 8,000 people and killed 774. How is the coronavirus outbreak similar? And how is it different?
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