Freakonomics Radio

Gina Raimondo, Governor of Rhode Island, and Julie Gerberding, former CDC director, dive into the complexities of reopening during COVID-19. Raimondo shares her experience balancing public health and economic concerns, while Gerberding provides insights on pandemic management. They discuss the critical role of widespread testing and innovative solutions like incentivized testing through a lottery system. The conversation highlights the importance of community cooperation and strategies used across various states to ensure a safe reopening.

Former Chicago mayor and political advisor Rahm Emanuel shares his insights on urban governance and the pivotal role cities play in solving real-world problems, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasizes the importance of data literacy in policymaking and the need for coordinated public health responses. Emanuel also reflects on his experiences in leadership, discussing the duality of public perception versus genuine community commitment, and the innovative solutions necessary for effective local governance.

Michelle Flournoy, a former Undersecretary of Defense for Policy and U.S.-China relations expert, joins historian Michael Auslin for an insightful discussion. They explore China's early handling of COVID-19 and its global repercussions. The duo debates accountability, revealing tensions in U.S.-China relations and the looming possibility of a new Cold War. They analyze the pandemic's impact on trade, healthcare ethics, and the need for international collaboration moving forward, highlighting the complexities of navigating these geopolitical dynamics.

Parag Pathak, an MIT economics professor, sheds light on the challenging decisions involved in ventilator allocation during crises. Alongside Ezekiel Emanuel, a bioethicist and architect of Obamacare, they explore the moral complexities of prioritizing healthcare workers over patients. Dr. Meilan Han, a pulmonary expert, adds depth by discussing how ventilators function and the biases inherent in traditional allocation methods. They advocate for a more equitable framework amidst the ongoing dilemmas posed by limited resources, particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jason Lusk, an agricultural economist at Purdue University, and Doug Baker from the Food Marketing Institute dive into the upheaval in the food supply system caused by COVID-19. They discuss the surge in demand for locally sourced meats and the challenges small farms faced. Anecdotes highlight the pandemic's impact on grocery shopping behaviors, with shifts to online shopping and changes in purchasing patterns from dining out to stocking up. The conversation also touches on the vulnerabilities in the food supply chain and the urgent issue of food insecurity.

In this engaging discussion, Gary Cohn, former head of Trump’s National Economic Council, and Christina Romer, economist and former CEA chair under Obama, dive into the implications of the $2 trillion aid package. They explore its effectiveness amidst the pandemic, the balance between immediate relief and long-term economic stability, and the complexity of funding allocations. Austin Goolsbee and Glenn Hubbard contribute insights on the CARES Act and its challenges. The conversation highlights the urgency for fiscal responsibility while addressing public health concerns and community impacts.

Ed Glazer, a Harvard economist, and Angela Duckworth, a psychology professor renowned for her work on grit, dive into the implications of COVID-19 on urban life and personal relationships. They discuss how the pandemic highlights urban centers as both innovation hubs and hotspots for contagion. The conversation shifts to the emotional toll of lockdowns on marriages, where increased familiarity can lead to contempt. Strategies for effective communication and community support are also explored, showcasing the importance of local connections during challenging times.

Nicholas Bloom, a Stanford economist, discusses the sweeping economic changes due to the pandemic. Toby Moskowitz, a Yale expert in finance, sheds light on the volatile stock market and unexpected industry shifts. Marshall Burke, also from Stanford, highlights how COVID-19 impacts the environment, from air quality to social behavior. They explore the surge in remote work productivity, the future of education, and the balance between social interaction and isolation, revealing both challenges and potential silver linings in this tumultuous time.

Rebecca Diamond, a Stanford economist focused on rent control effects, joins Ed Glaeser, a Harvard expert in city economics, to dissect the complexities of rent control. They argue that while rent control seems beneficial for some renters, it actually leads to artificially high rents and discourages new construction. The duo analyzes the political landscape surrounding these policies and explores the severe housing shortages it creates in cities like Stockholm, revealing a black market for housing as a direct consequence.

In this discussion, Jeffrey Sachs, a Columbia University professor and U.N. advisor, teams up with James Robinson, an economist from the University of Chicago and co-author of influential books on nations and development. They unpack the evolving perceptions of socialism in America, particularly among millennials. The conversation includes a deep dive into Venezuela's crises versus Norway's successful model, emphasizing the role of institutions in economic outcomes. They challenge misconceptions and explore the political ramifications of these ideologies on equity and welfare.