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Cities in a Pandemic: Evidence from China

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This paper studies the impact of urban density, city government efficiency, and medical resources on COVID-19 infection and death outcomes in China. We adopt a simultaneous spatial dynamic panel data model to account for (i) the simultaneity of infection and death outcomes, (ii) the spatial pattern of the transmission, (iii) the inter-temporal dynamics of the disease, and (iv) the unobserved city- and time-specific effects. We find that, while population density increases the level of infections, government efficiency significantly mitigates the negative impact of urban density. We also find that the availability of medical resources improves public health outcomes conditional on lagged infections. Moreover, there exists significant heterogeneity at different phases of the epidemiological cycle.

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  • Badi H. Baltagi & Ying Deng & Jing Li & Zhenlin Yang, 2022. "Cities in a Pandemic: Evidence from China," Center for Policy Research Working Papers 251, Center for Policy Research, Maxwell School, Syracuse University.
    • Handle: RePEc:max:cprwps:251
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    1. Zbieranek, Piotr, 2022. "Instytucje ramowe. Publiczne instytucje kultury jako katalizator metagovernance w polityce kulturalnej," Studia z Polityki Publicznej / Public Policy Studies, Warsaw School of Economics, vol. 9(4), pages 1-23, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    COVID-19; Urban Density; Government Efficiency Cities;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R1 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics
    • R5 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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