A server takes the temperature of customers at a restaurant in New York City, June 27, 2020. Photo by Andrew Kelly/Reuters

Learning to Live in a Riskier World

COVID-19 is clearly a major threat. But isolation to stop its spread can damage economic security, social connection, and mental and physical health. How can Americans balance the threat of infection against the daily activities they value? According to RAND's Shanthi Nataraj and Sita Nataraj Slavov of George Mason University, the only path forward may be to learn to live in a riskier world. People can mitigate risk by wearing masks, holding events outdoors, and physically distancing. And policymakers can help by investing in and encouraging testing. Read more »

Illustration by Meriel Waissman

Helping Communities Overcome Toxic Stress

Prolonged stress is toxic to the human body. And in marginalized communities, stress can accumulate over generations, causing despair, disinvestment, discrimination, and disparity. When this happens, any new crisis—including a pandemic—can be a tipping point. In 2018, RAND researchers developed a new way to understand how stress builds in communities. This framework can provide insights into what marginalized communities are really dealing with and how they can recover. Read more »

Harvard University campus after shutting down to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Cambridge, Massachusetts, March 25, 2020. Photo by Keiko Hiromi/Reuters

College May Never Look the Same

Many U.S. colleges and universities have reduced or eliminated in-person classes this fall. This has students and parents rethinking the high costs of tuition and the value of traditional higher education. This may threaten the business models of public and private colleges and universities. RAND experts warn that, under certain circumstances, this could produce a “race to the bottom,” as online providers of all types compete to offer college credits at the lowest price. Read more »

Photo by lathuric/Getty Images

Preventing Homelessness Among Domestic Abuse Survivors

Stay-at-home orders have forced many victims of domestic violence to be trapped at home with their tormentors, leading to more frequent abuse. (A recent RAND survey revealed that nine percent of Americans living with a partner reported an increase in physical or verbal abuse since the outbreak began.) Now, survivors who have escaped their abusers face a new crisis: housing. As COVID-19 infections spike, RAND experts say it may be time to invest in programs that help victims find safe and stable living situations. Read more »

A restaurant worker hangs a sign as phase one of reopening begins in Alexandria, Virginia, May 29, 2020. Photo by Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

What Models Can Help Virginia Policymakers Respond to COVID?

Models have been widely used to understand the spread of COVID-19 and the effects of policies designed to stop the disease. In a new report, RAND experts explore which models may be suitable for guiding pandemic response in Virginia. They consider the relevance of the data, as well as the model's design, past performance, and transparency. Notably, the researchers found that any model should consider the extent and efficacy of such measures as widespread testing and contact tracing. Read more »