Policy Implications of Models of the Spread of Coronavirus: Perspectives and Opportunities for Economists

Avery, Christopher; Bossert, William; Clark, Adam; Ellison, Glenn; Ellison, Sara Fisher

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Policy Implications of Models of the Spread of Coronavirus: Perspectives and Opportunities for Economists

NBER Working Paper No. w27007

47 Pages Posted: 20 Apr 2020 Last revised: 18 Apr 2026

See all articles by Christopher Avery

Christopher Avery

Harvard University - Harvard Kennedy School (HKS); National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Adam Clark

Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ (Leipzig)

Glenn Ellison

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Sara Fisher Ellison

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Department of Economics

There are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: April 2020

Abstract

This paper provides a critical review of models of the spread of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic that have been influential in recent policy decisions. There is tremendous opportunity for social scientists to advance the relevant literature as new and better data becomes available to bolster economic outcomes and save lives.

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Avery, Christopher and Bossert, William and Clark, Adam and Ellison, Glenn David and Fisher Ellison, Sara, Policy Implications of Models of the Spread of Coronavirus: Perspectives and Opportunities for Economists (April 2020). NBER Working Paper No. w27007, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3580565