Epidemiological Models and COVID-19

May 21, 2020

Many Americans are now familiar with several of the epidemiological models used to track and predict COVID-19 transmission and potential deaths. In this Call with the Experts podcast, RAND researchers say new models are needed as the country enters a different stage of the crisis, one in which changed behaviors must be taken into account. Here is an edited transcript of this call.

Jeffrey Hiday from the RAND Office of Media Relations moderates.

Learn More

  • People have lunch at a restaurant that reopened with plastic barriers and social distancing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Bangkok, Thailand, May 8, 2020, photo by Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters

    Modeling the Future of COVID-19: Q&A with RAND Experts

    The phrase “flatten the curve” familiarized Americans with epidemiological models used to estimate virus transmission, cases, and potential deaths from COVID-19. But new models are needed as the country enters a different stage of the crisis.

    May 26, 2020

  • State Policy Evaluation Tool

    New Tool Can Help Policymakers Manage Responses to COVID-19

    State and local officials implemented a range of interventions to slow the spread of COVID-19, such as social distancing and school closures. As leaders consider lifting some of these measures, a new RAND tool can help them weigh both the public health and economic consequences of different approaches.

    May 4, 2020

  • Crowds gather at Buffalo Bayou Park as social distancing guidelines to curb the spread of COVID-19 are relaxed in Houston, Texas, May 4, 2020, photo by Callaghan O'Hare/Reuters

    Relaxing COVID-19 Restrictions Presents Stark Choices

    RAND's new COVID-19 interventions impact tool uses epidemiological and economic models and continually refreshed data to estimate what could happen as restrictions are eased. The tool won't make the choices confronting state leaders less painful. But it can provide clear, evidence-based estimates of the health and economic trade-offs.

    May 18, 2020

    Jeanne S. Ringel , Raffaele Vardavas, et al.