The local effects of the coronavirus

Social distancing and food-security. While social distancing is necessary to help limit the spread of COVID-19, it also deters many low-income seniors from accessing group meals at senior centers or food banks, putting them in danger of malnutrition and hunger. Annelies Goger outlines targeted solutions to help ease risks.

Lessons on closing schools. Reflecting on his experience as a teacher during the long school shutdowns following Hurricane Katrina, Andre Perry says higher-education leaders must ensure their shutdown plans recognize that campuses are more than just places of learning.

A parent's guide to working at home. As the virus forces more people to work from home, Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Roberta Michnick Golinkoff offer eight strategies to help parents balance their daily work and childcare responsibilities.

How cities are stepping up to the plate. In the absence of federal support, Joseph Parilla discusses how local governments from Seattle to Washington, D.C. are taking measures to support workers and businesses that have taken a financial hit from the coronavirus crisis.

Fiscal responses to the crisis

Addressing an economic downturn from COVID-19. The U.S. federal policy response to the coronavirus has focused on public health so far. Jay Shambaugh explains why another round of fiscal policy is needed to fully address the economic fallout of the crisis.

Protecting our most economically vulnerable neighbors. While we must prioritize slowing the spread of COVID-19, we also need to address the dire financial, health, and hunger impact these containment measures could have on our neighbors with the fewest resources, Camille Busette argues.

The places a COVID-19 recession will likely hit hardest. A look at the geography of highly exposed industries makes it clear that the economic toll of any coming recession will hit different U.S. regions in disparate, uneven ways, Mark Muro, Robert Maxim, and Jacob Whiton find. 

Priorities for an emergency G-20 leaders meeting. The coronavirus is presenting a perfect storm of economic shocks for world leaders to address. Adam Triggs and Homi Kharas emphasize the importance of global cooperation and lay out a series of actions to take.

Technology's growing role 

Coronavirus makes the benefits of telework obvious. In 2018, nearly a quarter of the U.S. workforce worked some hours from home on an average day. Now, with many companies transitioning to mandatory telework, it's clear that an in-home connection is vital to the functioning of the 21st century economy, Tracy Hadden Loh and Lara Fishbane write.

The switch to digital campaigning. As the virus disrupts political campaigns and activities across the United States, social media and television broadcasting will become even more important. Former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler discusses what the Commission can do to ease the digital transition.

The digital divide between schools and communities. With a disproportionate number of school-age children lacking home broadband access, COVID-19 has shed light on the breadth of America's digital divide. Nicol Turner Lee discusses ways to bridge it.

COVID-19 highlights the importance of health information tech. "The pandemic has shattered our common beliefs about the type and scope of health information exchange." Niam Yaraghi calls for more detailed health data that can be exchanged nationally.

New podcasts on the coronavirus

Do Germany’s border closures signal a new stage in Europe’s COVID-19 response?

Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Brookings

What does the coronavirus crisis mean for European unity?

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How is Italy handling the coronavirus crisis?

Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Brookings