Question

Economics is everywhere – even in South Park. If you’re not familiar, South Park is an animated sitcom for adults featuring the adventures of four grade-school boys in the town of South Park, Colorado. In season 13, episode 14, the boys went to Pi Pi’s Water Park. Everybody is peeing in the pool and the pee concentration ends up being so high that it causes a flood that destroys the place. You can watch a clip of the episode here:

Tragedy of the Commons on South Park - Peeing in the Pool  

While this is a silly example of tragedy of the commons, there are far more serious examples.

"More widespread wearing of face masks could prevent tens of thousands of deaths by COVID-19, epidemiologists and mathematicians project.

A model from the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation shows that near-universal wearing of cloth or homemade masks could prevent between 17,742 and 28,030 deaths across the US before Oct. 1.

The group, which advises the White House as well as state and local governments, is submitting the model for peer review, says Theo Vos., Professor of Health Metrics Sciences at IHME.

Another projection developed by researchers at Arizona State University in April showed that 24–65% of projected deaths could be prevented in Washington state in April and May if 80% of people wore cloth or homemade masks in public.

These projections shed light on the promises face masks might hold as COVID-19 cases surge in some states and more local authorities mandate the wearing of face masks."

There are several people against face mask wearing despite the recommendations from scientists and healthcare officials. See an example below:

Viewers furious with Walmart shoppers not wearing face masks

There are several options to solving or preventing the tragedy of the commons. Think about what the scientists are saying about how "Face Masks" can reduce the spread of COVID-19 and then answer the following questions:

1. Does failure to wear a face mask present a tragedy of the commons? Why or Why not?
2. What are some of the issues/concerns/problems with each of the possible “solutions” to the tragedy of the commons (South Park and the face mask issue)? Do you know of any examples where one of these solutions has been successfully implemented?
3. Can you think of any other examples (silly or serious) of tragedy of the commons?
4. What other economic concepts are presented in the South Park clip and/or the paragraph about face mask?
5. How are externalities related to the concept of the tragedy of the commons? Are the solutions to each similar or different? How?

Answer 1

Does failure to wear a face mask present a tragedy of the commons? Why or Why not?

before we get into the answer, we need to understand what and how corona virus spreads across individuals in the closed environment. Corona virus causes respiratory symptoms to humans and some animals when it enters the body. it is a new kind of virus which was not found by the humane before. Remember the earlier days when we used to avoid going closer to people with cold or cough in schools and work places? because the bacteria's can easily travel in close contacts & entering another human's body causing cold & sometimes fever.

Just like when we get cold, it is said to be that the virus is attacking our respiratory system,covid-19 does something similar. Due to the size of this virus is 150–200 nm in diametre, it is able to travel invisibly from a particular distance. it is spread through respiratory droplets produced by an infected person through coughing, sneezing and touching the surfaces with corona virus. so, when you wear a mask, you are decreasing the chances of spreading virus to another being as with face mask, the virus cannot go out of your masks. alternatively, when you do not wear a mask, people with covid virus can easioy infect anybody by coughing, sneezing, closely speaking to someone, as the size of thevirus is so micro that it can travel to a certain distance in air and enter another human's body causing them with the virus.

What are some of the issues/concerns/problems with each of the possible “solutions” to the tragedy of the commons (South Park and the face mask issue)? Do you know of any examples where one of these solutions has been successfully implemented?

- While, in case of South park, the story seems to be funny but the situation is closely related with the covid-19. As we can clearly see that because of some people the entire south park had to suffer and face destruction. Similarly, not following the rules carefully during Covid-19 may destruct the entire population in the world.

on a contrary, some researchers says that if we continue to wear the mask for more than 3-4 hrs everyday, over the period, we will face some sort of breathing problem. Also, face masks becomes extremely unbearable to wear and go outside in summer weather conditions. People with astma diseases would find it very difficult to wear masks for a prolonged period. To overcome some of these challenges, companies should come up with a breathable masks where people can walk, talk freely without facing any trouble. doing this alone would reduce the spread of the virus by 65%. people who dont wish to wear masks should avoid going out and try to work, study from home all the times.

Germany is one of those few countries who has responded to the pandemic really well by its response framework. The country forced physical distancing norms, banning large human gatherings not even more than the people of 2.

Can you think of any other examples (silly or serious) of tragedy of the commons?

The spanish flu which happened in the year 1918 was considered to be the historically serious flu happened during that time from H1N1 virus with genes of avian origin. Everything was so similar and people did wear masks to contain the spread even during those times.

1. What other economic concepts are presented in the South Park clip and/or the paragraph about face mask
2. How are externalities related to the concept of the tragedy of the commons? Are the solutions to each similar or different? How?

Facemask talks about the economic and the disruptions of humans. If people do not listen to wear masks then the government would be forced to complete lockdown to the places which would create a significant economic impact in terms for GPD, economic output, income and employment, poor economic class in the short run.

While, the tragedy seems to be similar where because of some people the entire human population in that teritorry has to suffer. Eventhough, there were guidelines for behavious in southpark given by the authorities, people did not chose to listen which caused the total destruction. only way being running away from the park through air or life jacets. In case of Covid-19, things can be controlled and turned back if people follow the government norms, wearing the masks and keep a certain distancing.