As the pandemic of the coronavirus (Covid-19) evolves, some truths need to be spoken. Firstly , surgical masks do not protect the wearer of the mask. They protect others from the spittle that occurs with speech. That is why we wear surgical masks in the operating room. Secondly , gloves do not protect you if you touch your face, nose or mouth in particular. Thirdly , the death rate is minuscule compared to the swine flu (H1N1) of the previous decade. Fourthly , the new corona

As the pandemic of the coronavirus (Covid-19) evolves, some truths need to be spoken. Firstly , surgical masks do not protect the wearer of the mask. They protect others from the spittle that occurs with speech. That is why we wear surgical masks in the operating room. Secondly , gloves do not protect you if you touch your face, nose or mouth in particular. Thirdly , the death rate is minuscule compared to the swine flu (H1N1) of the previous decade. Fourthly , the new corona

What will be the impact of the Covid-19 virus on Delaware's economy?   There are two extreme views among economists regarding the U.S. economy. The first view anticipates a substantial recession similar to 2008-09. The second expects a severe dip in the second quarter of 2020 with a steady rebound thereafter.   I favor the severe dip scenario. The 2008-09 recession was prolonged because there were extreme price distortions in residential and capital markets that took time to

Time will tell whether selective business closures, and shelter in place orders by governors around the country will have been any more effective than pleas for voluntary actions requested in most states. More certain is the immediate impact on laid off employees, lost business income, and loss of freedom. There are steps we can take to minimize those negative impacts.   In Delaware, the Governor has declared a State of Emergency, and Delaware Code states in part, "During an

Being a small state with a chronic shortage of hospital beds and a history of excessively long wait times in the emergency rooms, Delaware is at a higher risk for societal disruption than states with more diverse and extensive resources. As such, an epidemic of fear and anxiety might be worse here. Currently we are awash in a 24/7 media hysteria where there is a risk of panic. A rush on the emergency rooms with few available beds for admission to the hospital in Delaware woul

Being a small state with a chronic shortage of hospital beds and a history of excessively long wait times in the emergency rooms, Delaware is at a higher risk for societal disruption than states with more diverse and extensive resources. As such, an epidemic of fear and anxiety might be worse here. Currently we are awash in a 24/7 media hysteria where there is a risk of panic. A rush on the emergency rooms with few available beds for admission to the hospital in Delaware woul

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DE School Choice Dr. John E. Stapleford, Director | 2/5/2020 According to the Wall Street Journal, Republican Ron DeSantis owes his gubernatorial victory in Florida to the support of about 100,000 African American women who were advocates for school choice. Of the roughly 650,000 black women who voted in the Florida election, 18% chose Mr. DeSantis. Could this happen in Delaware?   Certainly, the Delaware public schools have not delivered to the black community. According to

If the objective of Delaware’s economic development efforts is jobs, the available data may provide a logic for allocating development resources.   Over any particular year, the net change in employment comes from business start-up and expansion minus business closures and contractions. For 2015-16 the Census records a net change in employment for Delaware of 3,621. This comes from 17,758 jobs from start-ups and 34,893 from expansions minus a loss of 14,092 from closures and

A Gross Tax Dr. John E. Stapleford, Director | 1/25/2020 Delaware is one of just five states that levies a gross receipts tax (GRT). A GRT is an excise tax on the gross revenues of a company regardless of whether that company has profits or losses.   Public finance economists view the GRT as inefficient and unsound. It double or triple taxes business-to-business sales within a state. It punishes firms with low profit margins and high production volumes and discourages start-u