Professor Michael Greenstone Discusses the Economic Benefit of Social Distancing

Harris Public Policy Professor Michael Greenstone was featured in Rolling Stone discussing his research that shows the economy would incur an $8 trillion benefit from social distancing during the spread of coronvrius.

The findings suggest that social distancing would reduce the number of deaths due to COVID-19 by 1.76 million, out of which 630,000 would survive as the distancing would limit the stress on hospitals. However even with extended, moderate social distancing, 900,000 would die due to lack of ICU beds.

“It’s very rare for there to be opportunities for any policy to provide such large benefits,” says Greenstone. “The $8 trillion turns into $60,000 per household.”

Full coverage available at Rolling Stone.