Many emerging market ((EM)) countries will likely be hit harder by COVID-19 because of structural vulnerabilities and weaker institutions - in other words, their ability to contain the pandemic and their capacity to stimulate their economies. But while there is reason for concern, there is also reason for optimism.
Ability to Contain, Capacity to Stimulate
EMs' ability and willingness to contain the outbreak by enforcing social-distancing measures is an open question because of the socioeconomic fabric of emerging markets: high urban density, a large informal economic sector, and current demographics (by which I mean a