

Russ Roberts and Tyler on COVID-19
Mar 19, 2020
Russ Roberts, the insightful host of EconTalk, joins Tyler Cowen to delve deep into the complexities of COVID-19. They discuss the emotional toll of social isolation and the importance of maintaining human connections during crises. Their conversation navigates the economic fallout, examining government responses and the struggles of small businesses. They also explore potential health innovations post-pandemic and the moral dilemmas surrounding government bailouts. On a hopeful note, they encourage personal empowerment through engaging in projects and the future of education.
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Personal Loss and Anxiety
- Russ Roberts's father passed away on March 2nd, 2020, after being on a ventilator for eight days.
- This personal experience influenced his initial anxious reaction to the COVID-19 crisis.
Exponential Thinking
- The difficulty of thinking in exponential terms is evident in people's reactions to the pandemic.
- Tyler Cowen believes his background in economic growth helped him grasp the dangers of exponential spread.
Private Responses to Crisis
- Private voluntary reactions to crises can be quite strong, as seen with the rapid shutdowns of major sports leagues.
- Russ Roberts highlights the nuance and flexibility of bottom-up responses.