I completely disagree with Gigi Foster and Paul Frijter's prescription for dealing with coronavirus. But categorically defend their right to make their argument.

Bizarrely, Australia has two extreme economic views of epidemic policy. One is Foster/Frijters econ. brand, effectively arguing that we ignore epidemiology. The other from economists supporting pure epidemiology without economics. So...whats wrong with Ecs and Eps talking??

Australian economics should ignore self-appointed Prefects who try to claim the high ground as to what is acceptable argument. We must debate our way to better policy, and that calls for intellectual openness, not a priesthood.

Case in point is the opening-up debate is happening elsewhere in world economics. Here is a paper exploring ways to open up the economy accounting for the virus (not an endorsement) https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3580626