Economics of COVID-19: A case of Punjab, Pakistan

Desperate times call for desperate measures. This study explores those assessment tools which may enlighten the current pandemic situation. It assesses the link between the COVID-19 incidence and its effects on the length of the expected recessionary period in the region. Being a developing economy, the Prime Minister of Pakistan feared that the severity of recession because of a strict lockdown may not be tolerable. This study developed a theoretical model to explain the possible parameters and tradeoffs which can help in the decision to ease the lockdown. Previously, social and print media focused on the reporting of COVID-19 cases and consequently, its mortality rate. This study used the relative forms of recovery and mortality rates to assess their quadratic/nonlinear pattern with respect to time. It is proposed here that the government should use more complicated plots to assess how COVID-19 is evolving and should also prepare a fact-finding team to assess the situation for easing the lockdown. Received Date: June  30, 20202    Last Received:  October 10, 2020    Acceptance: December  8, 2020