TED Talks Daily The tech we need to end the pandemic and restart the economy | Danielle Allen
Apr 9, 2020
Danielle Allen, a Harvard professor and political theorist, tackles the dual crises of public health and the economy during the pandemic. She advocates for 'smart testing' technologies to ethically manage COVID-19 while reigniting economic activity. Discussions highlight the importance of privacy in contact tracing apps and the need for collaboration among government levels to secure funding for recovery. Allen emphasizes that a balanced approach is vital to ensure fairness and resilience in society as we navigate these challenges.
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Dual Existential Threats
- Two existential threats face us: public health and economic stability.
- A devastated economy impacts well-being and can cause increases in suicide and depression, similar to the 2008 recession.
Herd Immunity Challenges
- Achieving herd immunity without a vaccine requires 50-67% of the population to get the disease.
- This is a dangerous approach, as demonstrated by Italy's high death toll, and highlights the need for alternative solutions.
Virus Characteristics and Economic Impact
- The virus's high infectiousness and asymptomatic carriers make it difficult to control.
- Repeated freeze-thaw cycles of economic activity cause significant damage and uncertainty.