Tag: coronavirus

Coronavirus economics: dangerous hacks versus credible voices

The coronavirus pandemic once again demonstrates that a lot of prominent economic commentors are dangerous. Their recommendations will amplify the economic shock caused by the virus.

People who claim that

  • the coronavirus is not the job of central banks
  • this is mainly a supply chain issue
  • we have to beware of the long term consequences of doing fiscal/monetary stimulus now
  • we should continue business as usual

are spreading falsehoods.

Don’t listen to that guy!

Here is a selection of people who do grasp the importance of acting now in order to prevent an economic meltdown later.

Scott Sumner and David Beckworth: How central banks should respond to the coronavirus threat (podcast)

John Cochrane: Corona virus monetary policy

Skanda Amarnath:

This is not a drill

The ECB, government leaders and the banking sector must act immediately to stop the financial panic caused by the coronavirus.

A recession can still be avoided.

Banks should provide bridge loans to businesses suffering from the corona shock.

The ECB should do a TLTRO-like operation, providing cheap funding proportional to banks’ SME/corporate credit portfolios. Make the terms of the ECB loans conditional on coronavirus metrics. For example: banks should repay 4 months after the last new COVID-19 case is detected in the EU.

If Europe’s leaders fail to act decisively, the financial costs will snowball.

The economics of the coronavirus on Twitter

The coronavirus won’t cause a recession

But the reaction of policymakers might.

The direct impact of the coronavirus on the economy is limited. Unlike disasters such as hurricanes or earthquakes, there is no material damage. Few workers have been incapacitated by the virus.

Once the spread of the virus is under control, the economy can recover quickly.

The greatest risk is that politicians and central bankers will let financial uncertainty get out of hand. The stock market has taken a hit. Some companies will need to defer payments.

Continue reading “The coronavirus won’t cause a recession”

Het coronavirus zal geen recessie veroorzaken

Maar het gelanterfant van beleidsmakers misschien wel.

De directe impact van het coronavirus op de economie is beperkt. In tegenstelling tot bij rampen als orkanen of aardbevingen is er geen materiële schade. Het virus heeft nog maar weinig mensen werkonbekwaam gemaakt.

Als men er in slaagt om de verspreiding onder controle te houden, kan de economie zich snel herstellen.

Het grootste risico is dat politici en centrale bankiers de financiële onzekerheid uit de hand laten lopen. De beurzen hebben klappen gekregen. Sommige getroffen bedrijven zullen uitstel van betaling nodig hebben.

Continue reading “Het coronavirus zal geen recessie veroorzaken”