The Recession and America's Working Women

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"COVID-19 is hard on women because the U.S. economy is hard on women, and this virus excels at taking existing tensions and ratcheting them up," write Nicole Bateman and Martha Ross.

For America to bounce back from the recession, women need more than just temporary solutions. In a new essay below, Bateman and Ross call on policymakers to develop interventions that support women in both their family and workforce roles.

In addition, our experts break down various proposals to stimulate the U.S. economy, discuss the new normal of learning during a pandemic, and highlight opportunities for international cooperation on the virus.

Responding to the economic crisis

COVID-19 has been especially harmful for working women. As the pandemic persists, working women will continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of its burden. Nicole Bateman and Martha Ross say that solutions must address America's inadequate childcare system and women's concentration in low wage jobs.

The pandemic and rural small businesses. "Even in a time of unprecedented social distancing, the physical connectivity of our places—and the people and small businesses within them—are helping small businesses more durably withstand the crisis," Michael Powe and Hanna Love write.

Evaluating fiscal support policies. At the onset of the coronavirus crisis, Congress enacted legislation to stimulate the U.S. economy, but that fiscal boost is wearing off. Wendy Edelberg and Louise Sheiner provide an overview on policies to provide additional support to Americans.

Learning during the pandemic

The FCC and educational programming. Months before COVID-19, the FCC voted to loosen broadcasters' obligations to carry educational and informative content across their networks. Jill Shinderman explains how others have stepped up to fill the void.

Is there a way to keep schools open safely? On an episode of the TechTank Podcast, Nicol Turner Lee discusses the new normal of education in the middle of a public health crisis and how things may evolve as the virus remains uncontained in America.

The state of global girls' education amid COVID-19. Christina Kwauk joins The Current podcast to talk about the progress made on girls' education and gender equity over the last 20 years, the dangers and setbacks caused by pandemic shutdowns, and more.

The international landscape

The IMF needs to build on its COVID-19 record. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been at the center of the emergency economic response to COVID-19, but the institution's progress is under threat, Kevin Gallagher says.

Lessons from South Korea and Taiwan. By finding effective ways to reach as many of their residents as possible, South Korea and Taiwan have done an excellent job of handling misinformation on the virus. Heidi Tworek highlights five important lessons for policymakers.

Fostering collective action from the world. The World Bank's Rasmus Heltberg and Anna Aghumian explain how international development organizations can collaborate and act collectively to develop effective solutions for the current crisis.

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