WCSU students explore economic impact of pandemic Resident to discuss latest book

A recently completed independent study course in economics brought together three Western Connecticut State University students with their instructor, Associate Professor of Economics Dr. Rotua Lumbantobing, to explore the many-faceted impacts of the pandemic and resulting shutdowns on the regional, national and global economies. Participants in the course, conducted online during the summer session, included undergraduates Robert Carey, of Hopewell Junction, N.Y.; Colin Gillap, of Redding; and Eduarda Pages, of Waterbury.

Recognizing the opportunity to challenge her students to tackle an urgent public policy issue in their economic studies, Lumbantobing created the “Economics of COVID-19 Pandemic” course in the social sciences department and asked participants to place the health crisis within the wider context of its impact on economic growth, unemployment, business closures, consumer activity and poverty.

Carey, Gillap and Pages collected a wide range of economic data from published and online resourc

es, sharing their findings online and holding frequent virtual meetings with their instructor to discuss the relationship of trends in key economic indicators to the unfolding impact of the COVID-19 crisis. Their research provided the basis to put forward recommendations at the conclusion of the course offering guidance for public policy decisions to mitigate the economic damage from the pandemic going forward.

Kent Memorial Library and House of Books are hosting a book talk and virtual signing with Texasborn author and Kent resident Sergio Troncoso at 7 p.m. Wednesday via Zoom. Troncoso will discuss his

newest book, “A Peculiar Kind of Immigrant’s Son.”

This event is free and open to the public. To register, go to https://www.kentmemorial library.org/eventregistration/?ee=3425.