When 'Price Gouging' Is Good: Michael Munger
The Duke economist and political scientist discusses the response to COVID-19, the coming recession, and the end of higher ed as we know it.
Health
Dump the FDA for a Healthier America
The agency has hampered widespread COVID-19 testing and the production of both protective gear and hand sanitizer.
There's Light—and Growth—at the Other End of the Coronavirus Tunnel
"We are far more resilient than we give each other credit for."
Trump to States With COVID-19 Supply Shortages: Better Luck Next Time
Plus: Robert Kraft flies supplies to Boston from China, Laredo fines people for going without masks, and more...
The Coronavirus Outbreak Is Exposing Government Follies on Many Levels
Most serious approaches to the crisis, however, are decidedly libertarian. They involve reducing regulations that keep industries from responding rapidly in an emergency situation.
COVID-19 'Immunity Passports' Could Be a Good Idea
Why not let recovered coronavirus patients out of lockdown?
Coronavirus Gives the Illiberal Right Fever Dreams of Power
Hungary's Viktor Orbán consolidates power, Harvard's Adrian Vermeule fantasizes about wielding it, and many of those who oppose authoritarian conservativism beg Donald Trump to close the country down.
How Long Can an All-Food Economy Stay Stable Under Shadow of COVID-19?
Stores seem full now, but both illness and legal barriers could interfere with the economy of food production and distribution.
FDA Will Finally Let Gays Donate Blood—If They Wait 3 Months After Having Sex
Before this, the wait period was a year.
Can a Negative COVID-19 Test Be Trusted?
Preliminary research suggests that commonly used procedures frequently fail to detect the virus.
Anti-Trump Democrats Learn That Internet Censorship Blocks Them Too
Anyone who wants to restrict free speech should contemplate what it would be like if your enemy gets to choose what gets said.
Texas Inmates Sue for Access to Hand Sanitizer as Coronavirus Threatens Prisons
The ACLU is also suing Washington, D.C. jails.
The FDA Is Making It Much, Much Harder for Distilleries To Produce Hand Sanitizer
Rules designed to keep alcohol safe for children are slowing down production of a product that’s in short supply.
Are There Fiscal Conservatives in a Pandemic? The Club for Growth Says It Doesn't Matter.
The Club for Growth prides itself on holding lawmakers accountable "by publicizing their voting record." Except, well…not right now.
While a Real Epidemic Raged, the Surgeon General Was Spreading Misinformation About Masks and Vaping
Jerome Adams clung to older, faulty narratives in the crucial early days of the coronavirus outbreak.
Unemployment Claims Hit 6.6 Million. It's Officially Worse Than the Great Recession.
Plus: The feds are still targeting Juul, Call of Duty wins First Amendment lawsuit, and more...
Coronavirus: 10 Public Safety Regulations Set Aside in the Name of Public Safety
Restrictions on takeout cocktails, telemedicine, hand sanitizer, and plastic bags are among the rules being chucked aside in a crisis.
Trump Should Forget Iran. America Has a Pandemic To Handle.
Keeping up maximum pressure is a dangerous distraction for the United States and catastrophic for the Iranian people.
Coronavirus Puts Counterproductive Regulations Into Perspective
Many regulations serve little to no public purpose.
Larry David Says People Who Object to COVID-19 Lockdowns Are 'Idiots'
Government-mandated unemployment is "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to "sit on the couch and watch TV," says the wealthy star of Curb Your Enthusiasm.
L.A. Tried—and Mostly Failed—To Fix Bad Permit Rules for Restaurants That Want To Sell Groceries
First, they didn't have grocery permits. Now they are not allowed to take any walk-ins.
The Trump Administration Presents a False Choice Between Current COVID-19 Control Measures and 'No Intervention'
The real action in the coming months lies between those two extremes.
Matt Ridley on How To Beat the Next Pandemic
The "rational optimist" talks about coronavirus, Brexit, libertarianism, and his next book, How Innovation Works: And Why It Flourishes in Freedom.
Matt Ridley: The Coronavirus Pandemic Shows 'That There's No Monopoly on Wisdom'
The renowned science writer talks about pandemics, Chinese authoritarianism, Brexit, and why the freedom to innovate must not be quashed.
A Cruel and Irresponsible April Fools' Day Hoax
No, the FDA has not approved a 2-minute serologic test for Covid-19 antibodies
Will Pandemic Fears Grease the Way for Authoritarian Gun Controls?
Lawmakers are peddling restrictions on self-defense and other rights to a frightened public.
What's Up With All the Contradictory Advice About COVID-19 and Face Masks?
The combination of limited evidence and conflicting priorities has resulted in whipsawing messages from experts.
U.S. Sex Workers and 'Prurient' Businesses Excluded From COVID-19 Disaster Loans
Plus: U.S. movie theaters made only a little more than $5,000 last week, COVID-19 cases in Florida surge, and more....
The Private Sector Heroes Leading the Fight Against COVID-19
The free market adjusts. We don't need "production acts" to tell us what to do.
Will COVID-19 Kill the Constitution?
Politicians and the public are alarmingly willing to violate civil liberties in the name of fighting the epidemic.
The Response To Coronavirus 'Is Central Planning on Steroids': Rep. Thomas Massie
The Kentucky congressman who insisted Congress record its vote on history's biggest spending bill is unapologetic and outspoken about limited government.
L.A. Bureaucrats Shut Down Restaurants for Selling Groceries Without a Permit
"You cannot just decide you want to sell groceries," said Barbara Ferrer, the director of L.A. County Public Health.
America Could Import Countless More Face Masks if Federal Regulators Would Get Out of the Way
Markets are trying to meet spiking demand for face masks, but importers are stymied by the FDA and CDC
'Let's Do a Manhattan Project Against This Virus': Thomas Massie
The Kentucky Republican took on Donald Trump and Nancy Pelosi to fight against the $2 trillion coronavirus spending package. He's just getting started.
Federalism and the Coronavirus Crisis
States have so far taken the lead in battling the coronavirus, and there is some merit to this decentralized approach, which fits the original meaning of the Constitution. But it also has flaws, and there is still a good chance the crisis will ultimately lead to an expansion of federal power.
How Will Coronavirus Pandemic Deaths Compare to the 1957 Flu Pandemic?
Social distancing and lockdowns today are why deaths from the two pandemics might be comparable.
The World Health Organization Classified Video Game Addiction as a Disorder. Now It's Telling People to Play Video Games.
Global health group supports industry-supported initiative to promote gaming, educate players about COVID-19.
Not Even COVID-19 Can Shake New Jersey's Fear of Letting Drivers Pump Their Own Gas
But Oregon grudgingly relents. For now.
Health Care Workers Need Masks (and the Rest of Us Need Them, Too)
DIY manufacturers scramble to reduce shortages, as public health officials send mixed messages about the efficacy of broader use.
Seattle Police Chief Tells People To Call 911 If They Hear 'Racist Name-Calling'
Don't the authorities have better things to do with their time right now?
U.K. Cops Remind Us Why We Should Resist the Government's Coronavirus Power Grabs
Threatening shops for selling chocolate Easter eggs and mocking people who are actually following the law undermines citizens’ trust.
Spanish Flu Experience Might Indicate That Public Policy Interventions Don't Have Long-Term Economic Effects
Though focused on manufacturing and banking, this study sees economic optimism in quick and thorough interventions to keep people isolated.
Possible Good News: Fewer Fevers Reported Nationwide, Says Smart Thermometer Company
Social distancing and lockdowns appear to be working to slow the coronavirus pandemic.
COVID-Era Abortion Bans Blocked in 3 States—For Now
Plus: "Netflix for 3-D guns," viral authoritarianism, COVID-19 behind bars, and more…
How the Government Bungled the Coronavirus Response
"We have the capacity to keep this contained," Mayor Bill de Blasio told New Yorkers on March 2.
How Techies Ignored the Bureaucrats and Helped the COVID-19 Response
They were mocked for sounding the alarm. Now they're the ones providing the solutions.
