![Covid 19 pic](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/2020-04/covid-19-dfpa.jpg?itok=Bzz4aYre) # COVID-19 At a Glance What should governments at the federal, state, and local level be doing to combat the spread of the Coronavirus? Does the proper response include getting out of the way of private entities better positioned to address the challenges? Are extraordinary measures needed in an extraordinary crisis? As Cato scholars continue to analyze the government and non-government response to the crisis, they will be looking for signals that public policymakers are learning from this experience and will make reforms to ensure that our system is more nimble in handling similar situations in the future. Join the Conversation [\#CatoCOVID](https://x.com/hashtag/CatoCOVID) Share This Topic ![Economics in One Virus cover](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/promo_block_book_cover_1x/public/2021-03/economics-in-one-virus.jpg?itok=sObEIGGz) ##### Featured Book ### *[Economics in One Virus: An Introduction to Economic Reasoning through COVID-19](https://www.cato.org/books/economics-one-virus)* *Economics in One Virus* draws on the dramatic events of 2020 to bring to life some of the most important principles of economic thought. Packed with supporting data and the best new academic evidence, those uninitiated in economics will be given a crash course in the subject through the applied case study of the COVID-19 pandemic to help explain everything from why the United States was underprepared for the pandemic to how economists go about valuing the lives saved from lockdowns. [Read about the Book](https://www.cato.org/books/economics-one-virus) #### Featured Content [![Sweden & Parliament](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2023-08/sweden-parliament.jpg?itok=Eq5ZbsDZ)](https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/sweden-during-pandemic) Study ## [Sweden during the Pandemic](/policy-analysis/sweden-during-pandemic) By [Johan Norberg](https://www.cato.org/people/johan-norberg) The main difference between Sweden’s strategy and that of most other countries was that it mostly relied on voluntary adaptation rather than government force. [![Decentralize K-12 Education](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2020-09/education-min.jpg?itok=VduM-Qy_)](https://www.cato.org/commentary/covid-private-education-surge-ending-thankfully-were-starting-level-playing-field) Commentary ### [The COVID Private Education Surge Is Ending. Thankfully, We’re Starting to Level the Playing Field](/commentary/covid-private-education-surge-ending-thankfully-were-starting-level-playing-field) By [Neal McCluskey](https://www.cato.org/people/neal-mccluskey) and [Colleen Hroncich](https://www.cato.org/people/colleen-hroncich) The good news, thanks in part to the lessons of COVID-19, is that we are seeing an explosion in educational freedom that we have always needed. [![Human Freedom Index 2022 - 16x9](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2023-01/human-freedom-index-2022-cover-16x9.png?itok=fOZ4Ja9t)](https://www.cato.org/policy-report/march/april-2023/covid-19-pandemic-was-catastrophe-global-freedom) Policy Report ### [COVID-19 Pandemic Was a Catastrophe for Global Freedom](/policy-report/march/april-2023/covid-19-pandemic-was-catastrophe-global-freedom) New *Human Freedom Index* [![Government and Healthcare image](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2023-02/government-and-healthcare-img.jpeg?itok=D_ilDPZl)](https://www.cato.org/events/government-health-care-dangerous-policy-cocktail) events ### [Government and Health Care — A Dangerous Policy Cocktail](/events/government-health-care-dangerous-policy-cocktail) Featuring Governor Kristi Noem, [Jeffrey A. Singer](https://www.cato.org/people/jeffrey-singer), and [Gene Healy](https://www.cato.org/people/gene-healy) What did the COVID-19 pandemic teach us about how to deal with a public health emergency and the need for health care regulatory reform? [![](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2025-06/Cato%20Podcast_16x9.jpg?itok=sqIRrOPf)](https://www.cato.org/multimedia/cato-daily-podcast/return-pre-covid-regulatory-hurdles) Cato Weekly Podcast ### [The Return of the Pre-COVID Regulatory Hurdles](/multimedia/cato-daily-podcast/return-pre-covid-regulatory-hurdles) Featuring Rea Hederman and [Caleb O. Brown](https://www.cato.org/people/caleb-o-brown) Many regulations were suspended or relaxed as COVID-19 surged in the United States. So why are they coming back? Rea Hederman of the Buckeye Institute explains. [![COVID Defense](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/promo_block/public/2020-04/covid-defense-600.jpg?itok=p_Zz6hNd)](https://www.cato.org/pandemics-policy) ##### Featured Series ### [Pandemics and Policy](https://www.cato.org/pandemics-policy) Just as the COVID-19 pandemic has upended our daily lives, it has transformed the political landscape, with governments at all levels exercising emergency powers rarely seen outside the context of total war. With so much at risk, what’s needed now is sober, realistic assessment of the choices ahead—a guide to policies that can stem the damage while avoiding permanent transformation of American life and law. The Cato Institute aims to meet that need with this new series. [View Essays](/pandemics-policy)