(p. A15) I was looking forward to the American Economic Association’s January [2023] conference in New Orleans after two years of virtual meetings. Then I got this notice from the AEA: “All registrants will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and to have received at least one booster. High-quality masks (i.e., KN-95 or better) will be required in all indoor conference spaces. These requirements are planned for the well-being of all participants.”
Seriously? This isn’t 2020—it’s 2023. Everyone else has been getting back to normal, and being exposed to viruses is part of life.
. . .
China still has mandates in place. Maybe the AEA should hold its annual meeting in Beijing. Perhaps organizers will feel more comfortable among central planners.
. . .
I share the sentiments of George Mason University’s Tyler Cowen who said on his blog: “How about allowing a members’ vote on this? Or should I just be happy that the AEA is making itself irrelevant at such a rapid pace? It is remarkable the speed at which the economics profession isn’t really about economics anymore.”
For the full commentary, see:
(Note: ellipses added.)
(Note: the online version of the commentary has the date September 7, 2022, and has the same title as the print version.)