How much coronavirus will cost the econ omy — and why that matters

‘We’re not spending enough on dealing with this’

If you weren’t paying attention to the coronavirus outbreak a week ago, you probably are now.
As the virus spreads to more parts of the world, its effects are being felt beyond just those who have the illness. In Australia, the tourism and higher education sectors have already been hit hard. Financial markets are feeling it too.
So how much is all this disruption going to cost? It’s an important question, says Warwick McKibbin, because it helps convince governments it’s worth spending money to avoid pandemics before they break out.
On this week’s episode of The Economists, Professor McKibbin tells Gigi Foster and Peter Martin about his work on modelling the impact of SARS — the gold standard for researchers trying to get a handle on coronavirus today.
Elsewhere on RN, The Art Show meets Vernon Ah Kee, a Brisbane artist whose work highlights the similarities between the treatment of asylum seekers and First Nations people in Australia.
And there's something in this newsletter for all kinds of music lovers, too — whether you prefer Beethoven, the saxophone, or Eurovision.
Until next time,
Rosie Ryan, Digital Editor

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