This is a series of Specials to provide an overview of the COVID-19 pandemic, approaching it from different perspectives: from medical facts to health policy, from economic policy to the macroeconomic effects of the virus, from politics to financial markets, from technology to the impact on businesses and more.

In this first issue you find a selection of papers and articles in three areas: (i) Medical Facts, (ii) Health Policy and (iii) Economic Policy.

 “Anatomy of a killer” (The Economist, 3^rd March 2020). In the column the authors give us an easily-accessible yet thorough explanation of what the virus is and how we can fight it in lab.

 “Medical masks usage” (Journal of the American Medical Association, Angel Desai and Preeti Mehrotra, 4^th March 2020). The short brief explains the role and usage of medical masks.

 “The incubation period of Coronavirus disease” (Annals of Internal Medicine, Stephen Lauer et al., 10^th March 2020). The authors estimate the length of the incubation period of COVID-19.

 “The virus is coming” (The Economist, 27^th February 2020). The article briefly recaps the main lessons we have learned from the novel Coronavirus’ impact on China and outlines what Western governments are already facing.

 “It’s not exponential: an economist’s view of the epidemiological curve” (Vox.eu, Richard Baldwin, 12^th March 2020). The author explains why flattening the epidemiological curve is the best medical tool to reduce the spread of the novel Coronavirus.

 “Coronavirus: why you must act now” (Medium, Tomas Pueyo, 10^th March 2020). After a careful analysis of the situation, the author explains the urgency with which action must be taken to limit the spread of the novel Coronavirus, trying to direct decisions both on a political and economic level. But above all, he warns us of one important thing: the virus will surely arrive everywhere, so it is better to be prepared before it happens.

 “Flattening the pandemic and recession curves” (Econfip, Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, 13^th  March 2020). The author explains why flattening the pandemic curve represents the best containment strategy of the virus, while also considering a “flatten the curve” problem for the economy, which needs macroeconomic support.

 “Feasibility of controlling COVID-19 outbreaks by isolation of cases and contacts” (Lancet, Joel Hellewell et al., 28^th February 2020). In this paper, the authors create a mathematical model to assess if isolation and contact tracing are able to control onwards transmission from imported cases of COVID-19.

 “An effective economic response to the Coronavirus in Europe” (Bruegel, Maria Demertzis et al., 12^th March 2020). The economic consequences of the lockdowns in Europe involve both supply and demand. The authors explain how responses from national and international institutions should ensure ample national funds, abundant liquidity, targeted measures to protect the weakest and payroll tax cuts.

 “COVID-19: Europe needs a catastrophe relief plan” (Vox.eu, Agnès Bénassy-Quéré et al., 11^th March 2020). According to the authors, the crisis in Europe could unfold through four partially overlapping phases: the China shock, sectoral disruptions, acute overall disruptions and recovery. They explain what the best policy response is for each phase.

 “The right medicine for the world economy” (The Economist, 5^th March 2020). As the COVID-19 pandemic continues spreading across countries, it becomes clearer that coping with the disease will require actions from all areas of governments, not only health systems.

 “The challenge of addressing COVID-19’s economic effects in Europe” (The Economist, 12^th March 2020). The article explains how the negative economic effects of Italy’s lockdown need a response not only from the national Government, but also on lenders and Europe’s institutions.

 “How does the coronavirus pandemic compare to the Great Recession, and what should fiscal policy do now?” (Brookings, Louise Sheiner, 12^th March 2020). The author analyses the lessons learnt from the Great Recession and identifies some guidelines for policymakers worldwide to face the current emergency.