Speaker Series #12 – Unlocking Bogota

Aug 2020

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Cities on the Frontline #12 – May 28, 2020

Cities are grappling with the massive economic costs of prolonging the lockdown while having concerns about premature reopening. Difficult trade-offs emerge between saving lives and saving livelihoods. The consequences of lack of observance of guidelines from city authorities can cost lives. In the end, it could prolong the negative effect on livelihoods due to the negative impact on flattening the curve.

Exit Strategies from COVID-19 Lockdown

Dr. Maurice D Kugler, Professor of Public Policy at George Mason University talks about diverse strategies to flatten the curve. One size does not fit all. Each city must find its own strategy to balance between loss of life and livelihood. Exit strategies can combine easing lockdowns gradually with extensive contact tracing with testing; permits for those who are already immune; adaptive triggering of renewed lockdowns based on rising or declining cases until vaccines are available.

COVID-19 Mitigation and Exit Strategy from Lockdown

Dr. Juan Mauricio Ramírez, Secretary of Finance, in the Bogotá, Colombia, identifies three challenges for relaxing the lockdown in the densely populated capital city: healthcare capacity, overcrowding in public transport, and restarting businesses while adhering to safety protocols. One highlight of Bogota’s coronavirus response is the establishment of 14 Special Care Zones: geographic areas with high levels of contagion, density, movement, and vulnerable population.

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