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The Macroeconomics of Epidemics

Author

Listed:
  • Rebelo, Sérgio
  • Eichenbaum, Martin
  • Trabandt, Mathias

Abstract

We extend the canonical epidemiology model to study the interaction between economic decisions and epidemics. Our model implies that people's decision to cut back on consumption and work reduces the severity of the epidemic, as measured by total deaths. These decisions exacerbate the size of the recession caused by the epidemic. The competitive equilibrium is not socially optimal because infected people do not fully internalize the effect of their economic decisions on the spread of the virus. In our benchmark model, the best simple containment policy increases the severity of the recession but saves roughly half a million lives in the U.S.

Suggested Citation

  • Rebelo, Sérgio & Eichenbaum, Martin & Trabandt, Mathias, 2020. "The Macroeconomics of Epidemics," CEPR Discussion Papers 14520, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:14520
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Epidemic; Covid-19; Recessions; Containment policies;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E1 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General Aggregative Models
    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • H0 - Public Economics - - General

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