Invites you to a

Microeconometrics & Public Policy seminar presented by

Professor Stefanie Schurer

(University of Sydney)

Zero-COVID Policies: Melbourne’s 112-Day Hard Lockdown Experiment Harmed Mostly Mothers

Friday 8 April

1.00pm – 2.00pm

Level 6 Seminar Room (650), A02 Social Sciences Building, University of Sydney, Camperdown 2006

Via Zoom: Meeting Link

Abstract: Lockdowns were used worldwide to mitigate the spread of SARS-CoV-2. We demonstrate that the 112-day hard lockdown in Melbourne, Australia, the longest among OECD jurisdictions, exclusively penalized families with young children. To identify the causal impact of lockdown on human life, we interrogated nationally-representative longitudinal survey data and quasi-experimental variation in Melbourne’s lockdown, one that left other jurisdictions unaffected. Surprisingly, we found most vulnerable groups (the young, poor, lonely and those with previous mental health conditions) were left unscathed. However, we found mothers experienced significant, sizable declines in health and work hours, and increases in loneliness, despite feeling safer and being more active. Zero-COVID policies are not as harmful as may have been expected but came at high cost to mothers in society

For further information contact: Microeconometrics & Public Policy Seminar Coordinator Dr Rebecca McKibbin (rebecca.mckibbin@sydney.edu.au)

For all upcoming seminars in School of Economics see Our events and Calendar