COVID-19 this fall: Public health, the economy, and schools

Event Summary

On July 30, AEI’s James Pethokoukis, Scott Gottlieb, Frederick Hess, and Michael Strain gathered to discuss reopening in the fall.

Dr. Hess started by highlighting several factors affecting school reopening decisions. While in-person learning will certainly look different in the fall, he argued that in-person learning must be prioritized over remote learning. Dr. Gottlieb weighed in by suggesting several strategies to reduce infection in schools. These include shorter days, personal protective equipment training for teachers, and outdoor classes. Dr. Gottlieb also shared the latest transmission studies and reiterated the effectiveness of masks.

Dr. Strain addressed the current state of the US economy. While the recession may be over, the labor force has sustained significant damage. Dr. Strain pointed out that it will take many months of sustained improvement to get the economy back to where it was in early 2020. On the topic of school reopenings, Dr. Strain touched on the economic implications of lost classroom time. He explained that this lost time will dramatically affect the future earnings of current students.

The event concluded with remarks from Dr. Gottlieb regarding the timeline for an effective vaccine and an audience Q&A.

— Ava Cusey

Event Description

COVID-19 cases are surging throughout the United States. This threatens public health, economic outcomes, and our children’s futures. Where does the nation stand on these important issues, and what is the outlook for the fall?

Join public health expert Scott Gottlieb, economist Michael Strain, and education scholar Frederick Hess for a discussion of the nation’s outlook going forward. The panel will discuss progress toward a vaccine, testing and contact tracing capabilities, the state of the economy, what should be included in the next economic recovery law, and how schools can safely open in the fall.

Agenda

2:30 PM
Opening remarks:
James Pethokoukis, DeWitt Wallace Fellow, AEI

2:35 PM
Panel discussion

Panelists:
Scott Gottlieb, Resident Fellow, AEI
Frederick M. Hess, Director of Education Policy Studies, AEI
Michael R. Strain, Director of Economic Policy Studies, AEI

Moderator:
James Pethokoukis, DeWitt Wallace Fellow, AEI

3:15 PM
Q&A

3:30 PM
Adjournment

Contact Information

Event: Maryanna Mitchell | [email protected] | 202.862.7197
Media: [email protected] | 202.862.5829