Work

Optimal lockdowns under constraints

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: We present a systematic examination of the impact of frictions on optimal pandemic response, bridging the significant gap between policy recommendations and implementation. We focus in particular on constraints in testing delivery and in lockdown efficacy in the context of a canonical pandemic model. The latter is modified for a more faithful representation of lockdowns. The paper sheds light on nuanced, and sometimes counter‐intuitive, relationships. It rationalizes key but divergent findings in the literature on the extent of substitution and complementarity between lockdowns and testing. It also demonstrates remarkable robustness in lockdown policy to changes in its efficiency.

Source: Economic Inquiry

DOI: 10.1111/ecin.13265

Authors: Jihad C. Dagher, Christian Parkinson

Institutions: University of Southern California, Michigan State University

Language: English

Topic: COVID-19 epidemiological studies

Subfield: Modeling and Simulation

Field: Mathematics

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Science Foundation