The novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is the defining global health crisis of our current moment, and probably of the century. While we are neither virologists nor epidemiologists, the ultimate impact of this disease hinges on the political economy of healthcare systems.

In a recent TED Talk, Alanna adopted a global lens to explain the big picture implications for our present and future.* Meanwhile, Jessica drew on deep local knowledge to drill down on specific implications for decentralized governments. At every level in between, we can help map risks across countries, identify incentives for equitable access to new technologies, and interpret official data from a comparative perspective.

* These comments were in line with expert consensus as of March 5, 2020. Subsequent research has shed further light on the mode of transmission, corresponding risks of public gatherings, and the effectiveness of homemade masks. We strongly encourage everyone to follow updated guidance from the WHO and CDC accordingly.

Alanna recently presented to the CDC on best practices in communication about COVID in an era of social media and disinformation, drawing on her experience with TED talks and writing for the mainstream media. A summary can be found here: