Economics at the Movies: Contagion
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I saw this movie yesterday called Contagion: It is a thriller that follows the rapid progress of a lethal airborne virus that kills within days. As the fast-moving epidemic grows, the worldwide medical community races to find a cure and control the panic that spreads faster than the virus itself. At the same time, ordinary people struggle to survive in a society coming apart..
Apart from the fact that its a decent thriller, (star-studded cast, great soundtrack, well-executed etc!) but… part of the movie could be used as a good discussion about what is the most effective allocation system for a scarce vaccine - in the movie they go for a national lottery system with your date of birth. Is this allocatively efficient? Or simply fair? The movie prompts a discussion of equity versus efficiency and social welfare.
It would go well with Ben Cahill’s starter activity on health economics here.
Contagion Trailer
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