Digital Policy for Physical Distancing: 28 Stimulus Proposals That Will Pay Long-Term Dividends

Although digital technology made social distancing mandates more feasible and less costly, there are still major gaps that policymakers should address to make physical distancing even easier. In particular, this report argues that governments should support the development of foundational digital platforms, including universal broadband, 5G, electronic IDs, electronic health records, big data systems, and mobile payments. Additionally, they should also increase funding to spur development and adoption of key technologies to enable more efficient and flexible production, including robotics, autonomous vehicles, 3D printing, AI, blockchain, IoT, and facial recognition. Congress and the administration should create an additional stimulus package that includes these recommendations, to increase digital resiliency and better prepare for future pandemics.