Media Relations Office

On Wednesday, as effects of the coronavirus pandemic started hitting the U.S. job market, the Senate approved an emergency stimulus package to help businesses avoid mass layoffs. Cornell University economists, Paul Davis and Ian Greer are available to discuss the package, in particular, the measures taken to control unemployment. They also offer some perspective on what businesses and the government could do to further ease the effects of massive layoffs.

---

Stephen Wicker, an expert in information network privacy issues, comments on online privacy and surveillance as COVID-19 forces more users online.

Physical Sciences & Engineering

---

Jonathan Lunine, professor of physics and chair of the astronomy department, comments on the impact of the coronavirus on scientific conferences.

Arts and Sciences

---

The coronavirus outbreak is putting many industries at risk. Among them, the tourism industry seems to be one of the worst affected in the short term. Christopher Anderson, professor of business at Cornell University’s Hotel School, breaks down the likely repercussions to air, cruise and lodging industries.  

Economics and Business

---

Natalie Bazarova, director of the Cornell Social Media Lab who examines social-psychological and communication processes in social media and mobile interaction, says social media may be a blessing in this time of isolation. 

Social & Behavioral Sciences

---

Larry Glickman, professor of history at Cornell University, says the sudden interest in direct payments as part of a coronavirus economic relief package signals a shift from conservative to liberal ideas.

Law and Policy

Economics and Business

---

Aija Leiponen, an expert in the telecommunication industry, comments on American's response to the spread of COVID-19 and what it means for digital tech.

Economics and Business

Business, Economics & Entrepreneurship

---

As Americans head to their local grocery stores and see shortages on products, concerns are rising about food supply shortages. Cornell University agricultural economist Andrew Novakovic says given the long-standing concern around food safety, agriculture and food businesses have a leg up in the current situation, but labor and transportation disruptions could result in widespread consequences to the food system.

Food & Agriculture

---

Thomas Jungbauer, professor of strategy and business economics, comments on the role of smartphones in harboring germs and the need to rethink the technology we use in the midst of pandemics.

Business, Economics & Entrepreneurship

---

Linda Shi, urban environmental planner and assistant professor in architecture, art and planning, comments on the Trump administration's reliance on eminent domain to remove homeowners from flood zones.

Energy, Environment & Sustainability

Architecture, Art and Planning

---