COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights from RAND

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus first detected in late 2019 has now become a global pandemic. This has led not only to widespread illnesses and deaths, but also to economic devastation, day-to-day challenges, and long-term uncertainty for people all over the world.

RAND research and expertise provide insights and analysis that can assess the effects of this monumental crisis—and help determine the best ways forward.

How can hospitals ensure that they have sufficient critical care capacity to treat a surge of COVID-19 patients? What might it take for the global economy to recover from the pandemic? How are schools, teachers, and students dealing with the transition to distance learning?

These are just a few of the important questions that RAND researchers are tackling as the pandemic continues to unfold. Their efforts can help inform immediate policy responses to address the disastrous effects of COVID-19—and help communities, businesses, and individuals recover long after the disease stops spreading.

Hospitals, Health Care, and Well-Being

Workers and the Economy

  • Vials of COVID-19 vaccine, photo by MarsBars/Getty Images

    Report

    COVID-19 'Vaccine Nationalism' Could Cost $1.2 Trillion a Year

    Oct 28, 2020

    Nationalistic behavior by governments may exclude some countries from access to COVID-19 vaccines. This could cost the world economy up to $1.2 trillion a year in GDP. A globally coordinated effort to fight the pandemic is key, not only from a public health perspective but also an economic one.

Education

  • Teachers work outside their school building for safety reasons as they prepare for the delayed start of the school year due to COVID-19, in Brooklyn, New York City, September 14, 2020, photo by Brendan McDermid/Reuters

    Report

    This School Year Could Be Another Casualty of the Pandemic

    Nov 16, 2020

    Most U.S. schools are providing either fully remote or hybrid instruction as the pandemic continues to limit students' learning. Students are less prepared for grade-level work and those from vulnerable populations are most at risk of falling behind. Some 80 percent of teachers report burnout.

Vulnerable Populations

  • Homeless encampments along Central Avenue in downtown Los Angeles, California, photo by MattGush/Getty Images

    Report

    How Social Service Providers in L.A. County Are Responding to COVID-19

    Aug 24, 2020

    Social service providers have adapted quickly to ensure continuity of care for their clients during the pandemic. Obstacles have included a lack of technology access among clients, reductions in revenue and workforce, difficulties having clients shelter in place, and other stressors on staff.

National Security and International Affairs

  • A woman walks past a portrait of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Shanghai, China March 12, 2020, photo by Aly Song/Reuters

    Blog

    Don't Be Fooled by China's Mask Diplomacy

    May 5, 2020

    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.

View all of RAND's COVID-19 related work