Covid-19 recessions: This time it’s really different

By Vladimir Popov  and Jomo Kwame Sundaram

BERLIN and KUALA LUMPUR: The world economic contraction so far this year is largely because off measures, especially at the national or local level, to contain or prevent the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) contagion, particularly those restricting business operations, thus reducing economic activity, output, incomes and spending.