As of November 2021, the U.S. goverment dedicated ***** percent of the GDP to soften the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This translates to stimulus packages worth **** trillion U.S. dollars Economic impact of the Coronavirus pandemic The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was felt throughout the whole world. Lockdowns forced many industries to close completely for many months and restrictions were put on almost all economic activity. In 2020, the worldwide GDP loss due to Covid was *** percent. The global unemployment rate rocketed to **** percent in 2020 and confidence in governments’ ability to deal with the crisis diminished significantly. Governmental response In order to stimulate the economies and bring them out of recession, many countries have decided to release so called stimulus packages. These are fiscal and monetary policies used to support the recovery process. Through application of lower taxes and interest rates, direct financial aid, or facilitated access to funding, the governments aim to boost the employment, investment, and demand. Stimulus packages Until November 2021, Japan has dedicated the largest share of the GDP to stimulus packages among the G20 countries, with ***** percent (*** trillion Yen or **** trillion U.S. dollars). While the first help package aimed at maintaining employment and securing businesses, the second and third ones focused more on structural changes and positive developments in the country in the post-pandemic future.

As of December 2020, the production and consumption of fossil fuels without any climate targets or additional pollution reduction requirements received almost *** billion U.S. dollars in economic stimulus packages in the global energy sector. Many governments have announced to spend billions in stimulus packages to boost economies in a post-COVID-19 world.

This paper explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and fiscal policy interventions on the Korean and global economy to provide a scientific rationale for government policy interventions. We deployed a multi-region, multi-sector computable general equilibrium (CGE) model and the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) database version 11A, with 2017 as the base year projected to 2020, the epitome of the COVID-19 pandemic. Two policy scenarios assessed the impacts of the pandemic and government fiscal stimulus interventions. Results indicated a global decline in real GDP and welfare, with supply chain disruptions and increased trade costs negatively affecting import and export volumes. Despite government fiscal measures boosting real GDP, Korea's economy contracted by 1.47% in 2020, deviating from its annual pre-pandemic growth of approximately 2%. Welfare losses reached US$57.38 billion, driven by decreased consumer spending and increased unemployment. Falling export and import volumes narrowed the trade deficit to US$197.04 billion. However, government fiscal measures led to a net impact of US$104.68 billion compared to the baseline scenario. Our study underscores the need for targeted budgetary measures to mitigate adverse effects, recommending policies to stimulate private household consumption, support affected sectors, and enhance Korea's international trade competitiveness.

Despite the significant volume of fiscal recovery measures announced by countries to deal with the COVID-19 crisis, most recovery plans allocate a low percentage to green recovery. We present scenarios exploring the medium- and long-term impact of the COVID-19 crisis and develop a Green Recovery scenario using three well-established global models to analyze the impact of a low-carbon focused stimulus. The results show that a Green Recovery scenario, with 1% of global GDP in fiscal support directed to mitigation measures for 3 years, could reduce global CO2 emissions by 10.5–15.5% below pre-COVID-19 projections by 2030, closing 8–11.5% of the emissions gap with cost-optimal 2°C pathways. The share of renewables in global electricity generation is projected to reach 45% in 2030, the uptake of electric vehicles would be accelerated, and energy efficiency in the buildings and industry sector would improve. However, such a temporary investment should be reinforced with sustained climate policies after 2023 to put the world on a 2°C pathway by mid-century.

This paper explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Korean government's fiscal measures on macroeconomic and microeconomic shifts. Utilizing the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) computable general equilibrium model and database version 11, with 2017 as the base year, we aggregated 160 regions and 65 sectors into 9 regions and 18 sectors. The model projected the global economy to 2020 using variables such as real GDP, population, capital stock, and labor supply for a baseline scenario. Two policy scenarios assessed the impacts of the pandemic and a fiscal stimulus package. Results indicated a global decline in real GDP and welfare, with disruptions in supply chains and increased trade costs negatively affecting import and export volumes. Sectors such as tourism were particularly impacted. Specifically, the Korean economy faced a significant negative impact from the pandemic. Despite government fiscal measures that positively influenced real GDP, Korea's real GDP contracted by 1.7% in 2020, deviating from the pre-pandemic growth changes of approximately 2% per year. Welfare losses amounted to US$103 billion, driven by decreased consumer spending and increased unemployment. Export and import volumes fell, leading to a narrower trade deficit of US$17 billion compared to the previous year. The study underscores the need for targeted fiscal measures to mitigate adverse effects, recommending policies to stimulate private household consumption, support affected sectors, and enhance Korea's international trade competitiveness.

Background: Up to 80% of patients who develop coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19) infection subsequently experience long covid/post-covid syndrome. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that >770 million patients have been infected with Covid-19 globally. Even if only 10% of these patients develop long covid, > 75 million patients will suffer for a long period. Among the various symptoms of post-covid syndrome, fatigue is common, affecting up to 60% of the patients. As observed in other viral infections, elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines may play a role. Transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a noninvasive method that modulates the immune system via the central nervous system and has shown promising effects in autoimmune diseases and improving fatigue. In this pilot study, we investigated the feasibility of daily taVNS in patients with long covid-related fatigue. Additionally, the effects of taVNS on fatigue and quality of life will be analyzed. Methods: A total of 45 adult patients with long covid associated fatigue syndrome will be enrolled in this study, and will be randomized to the above-threshold-stimulation, below-threshold-stimulation, or sham-stimulation arms, after being informed that they will feel the stimulation. The above-threshold-group will receive a 4-week-long left-sided cymba conchae taVNS with 25 Hz, 250 µs pulse width 28s/32s on/off paradigm for 4 h throughout the day. The below-threshold group will receive stimulation below the sensational threshold, whereas the sham group will receive no stimulation following application of a non-functional electrode. The daily stimulation protocol will be recorded either manually or using the provided app. Three well-established questionnaires, the Multidimensional-Fatigue-Inventory-20, Short-Form-36, and Beck-Depression-Inventory, and the newly established Post-Covid-Syndrome-Score will be completed both before and after 4 weeks of stimulation. Discussion: The primary endpoint has been set as the patients’ average daily stimulation time after 4 weeks, while secondary endpoints include the effects of taVNS on fatigue and Quality of Live (QoL). As a non-invasive treatment option, taVNS may be a notable alternative for patients with post-covid related fatigue. Trial registration: This study was approved by the local ethics committee (23/7798) and registered (DRKS00031974) (see supporting information files). Ethics & Dissemination: The ethical justifiability of this study was supported by prior research demonstrating the safety of taVNS. Patients will be recruited by general practitioners, and written informed consent will be obtained. All data will be pseudonymized for collection and storage. The study results will be published in peer-reviewed journals with the aim of providing evidence of the potential of taVNS in long covid management. The study will be conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.