Coronavirus Could Become Historic Disaster, Says Summers

The transcript discusses the economic effects and risks of pandemics, emphasizing their infrequent but potentially catastrophic nature. It compares the cumulative risk of pandemics to global climate change, highlighting the lack of attention pandemics have received. The speaker suggests that the current pandemic may be a significant event of this century, with risks not fully appreciated.

What is the potential duration of disruption caused by a major pandemic according to the first section?

• A few days

• Several weeks

• A couple of years

• Many months or up to a year

How often do major pandemic events occur, as discussed in the second section?

• Every year

• Once every half century to a century

• Once every millennium

• Every decade

What is the potential death toll of the worst pandemics mentioned in the second section?

• Hundreds of thousands

• Millions, possibly up to 10 million

• Tens of thousands

• Billions

In the third section, how is the risk of pandemics compared to global climate change?

• Pandemics are equally risky

• Pandemics are less risky by a factor of 100

• Pandemics are more risky

• Pandemics are less risky but not by a factor of 10

What issue is highlighted in the third section regarding the attention given to pandemics?

• Pandemics receive less attention than they deserve

• Pandemics receive more attention than climate change

• Pandemics are overemphasized

• Pandemics are not a concern