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Containing a pandemic with public actions and public trust: the Kerala story

Author

Listed:
  • Jyotsna Jalan

    (Calcutta & Centre for Training and Research in Public Finance and Policy)

  • Arijit Sen

    (Indian Institute of Management Calcutta)

Abstract

We study the Covid pandemic in the Indian state of Kerala, and document the state’s remarkable success in containing the pandemic’s first wave. By identifying Kerala’s initial conditions when it was hit by the pandemic, and different components of the state’s Covid policy, we conclude: While being subject to resource constraints faced by an Indian state located in a federal structure, Kerala contained its first Covid wave by preemptively formulating a comprehensive set of public actions—government actions that were supported and complemented by the state’s citizens. This was achieved by leveraging and reinforcing the citizen’s public trust in the state. Specifically, the state’s pandemic response contained supportive measures to ensure that poor lives were not pitted against rich lives; rather, the aim was to protect all lives and livelihoods.

Suggested Citation

  • Jyotsna Jalan & Arijit Sen, 2020. "Containing a pandemic with public actions and public trust: the Kerala story," Indian Economic Review, Springer, vol. 55(1), pages 105-124, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:inecre:v:55:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s41775-020-00087-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s41775-020-00087-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bartscher, Alina Kristin & Seitz, Sebastian & Siegloch, Sebastian & Slotwinski, Michaela & Wehrhöfer, Nils, 2021. "Social capital and the spread of covid-19: Insights from european countries," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Majewska, Anna & Denis, Małgorzata & Jarecka-Bidzińska, Ewa & Jaroszewicz, Joanna & Krupowicz, Wioleta, 2022. "Pandemic resilient cities: Possibilities of repairing Polish towns and cities during COVID-19 pandemic," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    2. Anirban Mitra, 2021. "Age, Inequality and the Public Provision of Healthcare," Studies in Economics 2105, School of Economics, University of Kent.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Covid-19; Pandemic; Kerala; Public trust; Public actions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H8 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues
    • I3 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty

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