COVID-19 Archives - Page 3 of 3

Economics, Health, Social development and protection

How should ASEAN and ASEAN+3 respond to the COVID-19 crisis?

Jayant Menon / April 28, 2020

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its bigger counterpart ASEAN+3, comprising the 10 ASEAN members and the People’s Republic of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (ROK), have been slow to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. While they have been strenuously ramping up their efforts, more needs to be done, and quickly. There are many things they can do immediately, such as employing their machinery to increase consultation and cooperation to curb contagion—both medical and economic—and limit beggar-thy-neighbor policies.

Economics, Health, Social development and protection

The tip of the iceberg for COVID-19 cases in developing Asia?

Peter J. Morgan / April 16, 2020

The number of COVID-19 cases in many Asian developing countries is surprisingly low, but this may simply reflect inadequate levels of testing. The high correlation between rates of testing and per capita GDP strongly suggests that lower-income countries face a number of barriers to carrying out adequate testing. This raises the risk of rapid increases in infection rates in the future and points to the need for support for additional testing, as well as for increases in medical spending and general fiscal measures.

Economics, Health, Social development and protection

Global stimulus to fight the COVID-19 pandemic

Pitchaya Sirivunnabood / April 9, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has quickly become a severe global crisis, with a drastic spread in less than 2 months and shifts in its epicenter. Almost 1 million people have been infected with the virus around the world, and the number of deaths has shot up rapidly and continues to grow.

Using networks and technologies to assist the vulnerable during the COVID-19 crisis

Economics, Health, Social development and protection

Networks and technologies to assist the vulnerable during the pandemic

Matthias Helble / April 3, 2020

Developed countries can use advanced social security systems to protect households from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but developing countries face a bigger challenge. They typically have a large informal sector and limited social security coverage, which hinder the delivery of assistance at short notice. Yet, developing Asia is better equipped to cushion the economic impact of the current crisis compared to the global financial crisis of 2008.

Economics, Health, Social development and protection

Improve handwashing access to combat COVID-19

KE Seetha Ram / March 24, 2020

Medical experts and institutions tell us that a critical but simple lifesaving action to reduce vulnerability to COVID-19 is literally in our own hands—regular handwashing with soap. Public awareness efforts underscore the need for greater behavioral compliance.

Economics, Health, Social development and protection

Recovering from shocks is what Asia knows best

Grant B. Stillman / March 11, 2020

Unimaginable setbacks to Japan nine years ago from the triple disasters of the earthquake, tsunami, and Fukushima emergency were used to pioneer new approaches to regional development and integrated reconstruction to build back better, safer, and greener.