COVID-19 and the HKS Alumni Community

The work of the Kennedy School has never been more important. Challenging times test the mettle of our leaders, and we must continue to learn from those who have stepped up to save lives, to preserve economic activity, and to strengthen their communities during crises. As the pandemic unfolds, we are expanding remote access to the Kennedy School’s resources, including specific faculty members with relevant expertise.

The spreading of misinformation about the novel coronavirus has serious implications not only for our ability to vanquish the virus, but also for the health of our democracies. Listen to Nancy Gibbs discuss this problem and more.

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As developing nations confront the pandemic and its economic fallout, what is the outlook for their recovery? What should governments and the international community do to avoid a catastrophe that could end in currency, debt, banking, and humanitarian crises? Listen to Ricardo Hausmann as he addresses these issues and takes questions.

Mayors and their staff are facing an unprecedented leadership challenge as they deal with the impacts of the virus, the economic recession, and civil unrest over police violence and systemic racism. Jorrit de Jong discusses the ongoing work of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative with cities, the way students are engaging with this work, and more.

Are the COVID-19 stimulus measures doing their job? How can we improve the nation’s economic outlook while controlling the pandemic and saving lives? Listen to Lawrence H. Summers, Frank and Denie Weil Director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government, and Charles W. Eliot University Professor, to hear answers to these questions and more.

Our innate desire for human connection has been impeded by COVID-19. What can we do, while under quarantine, to find purpose and happiness? What should our leaders do to calm our anxieties and point a way forward? Listen to Arthur Brooks to hear answers to these questions and more.

Leaders around the world have taken vastly different approaches to combatting COVID-19. What does it take to be an effective leader during this global pandemic? What should citizens and practitioners do when leadership at the very top falls short? Listen to Ambassador Wendy Sherman discuss this topic and respond to caller questions.

Dani Rodrik discusses how COVID-19 will affect globalization and which developing economies are best poised to respond to the crisis.

Chris Robichaud discusses and takes questions on the epistemological aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amitabh Chandra discusses the market failures that have left us scrambling for a vaccine and treatment for this infectious disease. He takes callers' questions on the implications that COVID-19 will have on health policy and what changes should be made to ensure rapid and equitable distribution of testing, treatments, and vaccines.

Listen to Juliette Kayyem discuss the U.S. government’s response to the pandemic. She takes caller questions on COVID-19, including whether measures implemented by the federal and state governments will ultimately prove effective.

Dean Doug Elmendorf and Professor Karen Dynan discuss and take questions on the macroeconomic effects of the current pandemic and appropriate policy responses. 

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Nicholas Burns discusses how governments around the world are responding to the crisis.