Finance Webinar（2020-09)

Topic: Combating COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of SARS Imprint

Speaker: Hong Ru, Nanyang Technological University

Time: Wednesday, 27 May, 10:00-11:30 Beijing Time

Location: Microsoft Teams Online conference room

Abstract:

This paper documents a strong delayed response to COVID-19 caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, in countries that do not suffer from 2003 SARS disease caused by a similar virus, SARS-CoV-1. Individuals in countries that suffered from SARS in 2003 search more intensively for COVID-19 related information in Google during its first outbreak in Wuhan China in late January 2020. Governments in countries without SARS deaths respond significantly slower to combat COVID-19 regarding various containment measures. Consequently, COVID-19 case numbers and mortalities are substantially higher in countries without SARS experience. Our findings suggest that the imprint of the early experience of similar viruses is a fundamental mechanism underlying timely responses to COVID-19.

Introduction:

Dr. Hong Ru joined Nanyang Business School in NTU as an Assistant Professor of Banking & Finance division in 2015. His research interests include financial intermediary, Chinese economy, corporate finance, and household finance. Dr. Ru's researches have been published at top journals and presented at many conferences including AFA, EFA, NBER, SFS Cavalcade, and received best paper awards and research excellence award many times. His researches have been covered by Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, NBER Digest, and ABFER Digest. Dr. Ru is also the research director of the Centre of Excellence International Trading (CEIT) in NTU and was the research director of the Centre for RMB Internalisation Studies (CRIS) in NTU. Dr. Ru received his Ph.D. in finance from the MIT Sloan School of Management in 2015.

//hongru.mit.edu/

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