Resilience & Society

Here’s how to use tech to turn COVID-19 tragedy into “a global immune system”

By Frederick Kempe

It’s not too late for the United States – driven by the cutting-edge capabilities of its technology companies – to leverage the coronavirus tragedy into a historic opportunity. It would be built around scientifically novel but increasingly available means to prevent future pandemics through constructing a “global immune system.” It may seem hopelessly naïve to expect an even more ambitious degree of global collaboration now, but history’s lesson is that the alternatives are horrifying.

US retail sales fall at record rate in April, Germany in recession; Wuhan tests 3 million residents

By Atlantic Council

Spending by US consumers dropped more than experts had forecast. Germany, Europe’s largest economy, entered recession but performed better than its neighbors after keeping some industry open through the pandemic. Wuhan, the Chinese city that was at the center of the coronavirus outbreak, has tested three million of its eleven million residents so far, state media said.

Income inequality and life after coronavirus: Flattening the spread

By Alexis Crow

This will be a “crisis wasted” if we do not acknowledge and instill the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity, the dignity of work, and the recognition that each person matters and has something unique to contribute to society.

Investor, philanthropist David Rubenstein analyzes where post COVID-19 world is headed

By Larry Luxner

Rubenstein predicted the US economy will continue shrinking “for at least six months, maybe nine months, or maybe even longer.” Yet one consequence of that is an explosion of national debt in order to help the American people through the current crisis.

Cosa Buena: A good thing for art and public health in Oaxaca

In the city of Oaxaca, Mexico one social enterprise has taken its relationship with local artists to a new level in the coronavirus pandemic, collaborating with them to create and design sustainable handwashing stations.

US jobless claims in millions for eighth straight week, global leaders call for accessible vaccine

By Atlantic Council

US unemployment registered in the millions for an eighth week in a row as the economy reeled from the impact of coronavirus shutdowns. Patents were in the news as a roster of leaders past and present called for any vaccine to be widely produced and freely available.

Can India make an opportunity out of crisis?

By Ajay Chhibber

India is between a rock and a hard place. The lockdowns have not reduced the increase in coronavirus spread and its economy has cratered. Modi's new stimulus package is intended to save lives and livelihoods and reset the economy. But, if it will be enough will depend on what it contains and more importantly on how it is implemented.