First of all, the market mechanism may have the problem of information asymmetry when dealing with public health risks. In market economy, consumers and producers need to make decisions according to market signals, but public health risks are often sudden and uncertain, and market mechanisms may not be able to transmit relevant information in time, which makes it difficult for consumers and producers to make correct decisions.
Secondly, the market mechanism may have the problem of uneven distribution of resources. In the process of fighting the epidemic, some resources (such as medical resources) may be limited, and the market mechanism may lead to uneven distribution of resources, making some people unable to obtain the necessary medical security.
In addition, the market mechanism may have externalities, that is, individual behavior has a negative impact on others or society. For example, during the epidemic, some people may be unwilling to wear masks or observe social distance measures, which will not only affect their own health, but also have a negative impact on others and society. However, because these behaviors are difficult to be restrained and punished by legal or market means, the market mechanism may not be able to effectively solve these problems.
To sum up, negative externalities explain why anti-epidemic can't rely solely on the market. When dealing with public health risks, the government, social organizations and other parties need to participate and cooperate to solve the problem. The government can alleviate the limitations of the market mechanism by formulating relevant policies, providing public services and ensuring resource allocation. At the same time, the participation of social organizations and individuals can also play a certain role in promoting and supervising. Only through multi-party cooperation can we deal with public health risks more effectively.