The COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons on building more equal and sustainable societies

Abstract

This discussion paper by a group of scholars across the fields of health, economics and labour relations argues that COVID-19 is an unprecedented humanitarian crisis from which there can be no return to the ‘old normal’. The pandemic’s disastrous worldwide health impacts have been exacerbated by, and have compounded, the unsustainability of economic globalisation based on the neoliberal dismantling of state capabilities in favour of markets. Flow-on economic impacts have simultaneously created major supply and demand disruptions, and highlighted the growing within-country inequalities and precarity generated by neoliberal regimes of labour market regulation. Taking an Australian and international perspective, we examine these economic and labour market impacts, paying particular attention to differential impacts on First Nations people, developing countries, women, immigrants and young people. Evaluating policy responses in a political climate of national and international leadership very different from those in which major twentieth century crises were addressed, we argue the need for a national and international conversation to develop a new pathway out of crisis. JEL Codes: E18, HO, I1, J64, J88

Impacts of COVID-19 on a Transitioning Energy System, Society, and International Cooperation

“…Prior to COVID-19, this wholesale reconsideration of mobility and behavior may have been outside of the realms of plausible policy options, however following our shared experience under COVID-19 restrictions, this reshaping of societal norms may no longer be so farfetched. The reorganization of society in recognition of unsustainable economic practices and discrimination against specific societal groups toward a more equal and sustainable approach has been investigated, suggesting that a return to normal is not the correct answer in this case [62].…”

“…Building on the relevant evidence uncovered by COVID-19 scholarship, a number of opportunities for policy that capitalizes on learnings and science-based findings have been identified, allowing for a 'change of direction' [62].…”

Collect and Treat Urban Wastewater to Fight the Pandemic Disease of COVID-19 Effectively

“…Wastewater +Oxygen + Bacteria ⇒Treatedwastewater + newbacteria (4) There are three solutions for injecting oxygen into the wastewater. Different amounts of oxygen shall be injected into the wastewater according to the quality and quantity of the wastewater and the purposes of its treatment:…”

“…The coronavirus attack on the people of the world came as a surprise. The coronavirus emerged when states that were prioritizing public health care and providing more medical services gave way to governments with policies of austerity and privatization of enterprises [2], [3] and [4]. The coronavirus emerged when the world was proud of its scientific and medical advances in recent decades.…”

Special Issue Editorial: The General Election in New Zealand in 2020

“…The editors also invited Professor Nigel Haworth to write a commentary on the current and future status of employment relations both here in New Zealand and overseas. Echoing other polemics on neoliberalism (see for example, Quinlan, (2020) and van Barneveld et al, (2020)), Haworth argues that there is an alternative to a return to neo-liberalism available to government and policy makers and that, if the alternative is to be realised, "it will be driven by a government committed to fundamental transformation, and willing to forge the bonds that unite the tripartite parties in that endeavour".…”