The effects of COVID-19 on downtown land use: Evidence from four U.S. cities

This paper investigates trends in downtown real estate and urban responses to real estate demand shifts during the COVID and post-COVID recovery periods for a selection of U.S. downtown areas. It charts the diverging responses of different real estate sectors to the COVID-19 pandemic—and the implications for the spatial allocation of activity across metropolitan areas. Using local data from four major U.S. metro areas, it documents how sustained shifts in rents and vacancy rates are putting pressure on cities to reconsider—and in some cases redefine—the "highest and best use” of much of their downtown real estate assets. After analyzing economic and policy constraints that are hindering responses, it concludes by proposing strategies for how the downtown real estate sector can adapt to the shifting needs of the post-pandemic population. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Urban Affairs is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Measuring the COVID-19 Financial Threat to Hospital Markets.

Many hospitals have been straining under the financial stress of treating COVID-19 patients. Those experiencing the greatest strain are in markets burdened with high levels of debt and uncompensated care. We propose a new measure of financial risk in a hospital market, combining both pre-existing financial vulnerability and COVID-19 severity. It reveals the highest concentrations of risk in counties with high poverty, low population density, and high shares of foreign-born and non-White populations. The CARES Act Provider Relief Fund helped many of the hospitals in these regions, but it left many markets with the same overall vulnerability to financial strain from the next health crisis.

Genetics and COVID-19: How to Protect the Susceptible.

Along with the potential for breakthroughs in care and prevention, the search for genetic mechanisms underlying the spread and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) introduces the risk of discrimination against those found to have markers for susceptibility. We propose new legal protections to mitigate gaps in protections under existing laws.