The Tale of two Crises in the Time of Covid-19

Aniket, Kumar and Chowdhury, Rashedur (2020): The Tale of two Crises in the Time of Covid-19.

Abstract

We document the challenges faced by a sub-district called Phulbari in Bangladesh during Covid-19 lockdown. We do so using a series of 24 interviews with a wide range of individuals conducted during May 2020. What emerges is a picture of an under-resourced local administra- tion trying their best to cope with the situation. The local administration’s efforts have been complemented by efforts of the civil society. While social distancing policies have potentially helped prevent a Covid-19 outbreak, it has created an economic crisis in its wake. We suggest some specific policy proposals that can help alleviate the economic crisis without risking an outbreak.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Covid-19, Economic Development, Governance, Social Norms, Poverty, Pandemic
• Subjects: O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O1 - Economic Development; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O1 - Economic Development > O10 - General; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O1 - Economic Development > O17 - Formal and Informal Sectors ; Shadow Economy ; Institutional Arrangements; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O3 - Innovation ; Research and Development ; Technological Change ; Intellectual Property Rights > O38 - Government Policy

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