Optimal Control Policies to Address the Pandemic Health-Economy Dilemma

Rohit Salgotra, Amiram Moshaiov, Thomas Seidelmann, Dominik Fischer, Sanaz Mostaghim

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) are effective measures to contain a pandemic. Yet, such control measures commonly have a negative effect on the economy. Here, we propose a macro-level approach to support resolving this Health-Economy Dilemma (HED). First, an extension to the well-known SEIR model is suggested which includes an economy model. Second, a bi-objective optimization problem is defined to study optimal control policies in view of the HED problem. Third, four multi-objective evolutionary algorithms are applied to perform a study on the health-economy performance trade-offs that are inherent to the obtained optimal policies. Finally, the results from the applied algorithms are compared to select a preferred algorithm for future studies. As expected, for the proposed models and strategies, a clear conflict between the health and economy performances is found. Furthermore, the results suggest that the guided usage of NPIs is preferable as compared to refraining from employing such strategies at all. This study contributes to pandemic modeling and simulation by providing a novel concept that elaborates on integrating economic aspects while exploring the optimal moment to enable NPIs.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2021 IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation, CEC 2021 - Proceedings
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages720-727
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9781728183923
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021
Event2021 IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation, CEC 2021 - Virtual, Krakow, Poland
Duration: 28 Jun 20211 Jul 2021

Publication series

Name2021 IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation, CEC 2021 - Proceedings

Conference

Conference2021 IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation, CEC 2021
Country/TerritoryPoland
CityVirtual, Krakow
Period28/06/211/07/21

Funding

FundersFunder number
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie
Volkswagen Foundation
Tel Aviv University

    Keywords

    • COVID-19
    • Control policies
    • Economic model
    • Multi-objective optimization
    • Pandemic model
    • SARS-CoV-2

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