COMMENT | A more humane post-pandemic social contract

COMMENT | Never have the complexities of the relationship between human health and economic well-being been more apparent than during the Covid-19 crisis. How can we enforce life-saving social-distancing rules without destroying livelihoods? Why are some groups suffering so much more than others, both clinically and economically? What are those who face lower risks willing to sacrifice for the common good?

With no vaccine or cure for Covid-19, social-distancing protocols, together with mask-wearing and hand washing, quickly emerged as our best defence against the virus. For some industries, the adjustment was relatively straightforward: close down offices and have employees work remotely.

As it turns out, far more work can be done remotely than was previously thought. Physical proximity has long been viewed as essential to the collaboration that is so essential to running a business, let alone innovate. Yet, during the pandemic, I finished a joint paper without meeting my co-authors in person...