So, where should the federal government get the money to financially support a large portion of the population? increase taxes on any big businesses that survive (whose profits/taxable income are likely also diminishing)? increase the deficit? divert money from other programs?
Europe was, and in many areas still is, closed. So was Australia and New Zealand. Their unemployment numbers aren’t dramatically higher and are expected to be lower than ours when they do open.
It’s all about your values, where you put your money, where you cut and where you invest.
I do not believe that when it comes to covid, it’s either open your economy or die. That’s a false dichotomy you only hear in the US. There are options, but no meaningful discussions on that topic in this country.
The answer to the social ills will look like real socialism, Ironically the candidate that would have at least tabled that was sent packing because there is no left left. Post war taxation is something to reference. This current crisis is much more impact than WW2 was in the cushioned USA. For sure class and race warfare is coming. I assume the black community would tell you it never left. The poor will tell you it is being fought every day. All of us should be game to distribute wealth better. All of us. For the children!?
This was shared by two of my cousins on Facebook this afternoon: “Please pray for the staff and residents of the care center where my almost 95-year-old mother lives. They have an outbreak of COVID-19. So far my mother is fine. They are testing all of the residents and isolating those who test positive. There are at least 4 staff and 19 residents so far who tested positive.”
This is my only surviving aunt; she is my dad’s youngest sister. She lives in Iowa.
I would love to discuss this with you more, because what you write is intriguing to me. But of course politics aren’t allowed. Anyway, thanks for your thoughts. I’m sure I’d have enjoyed learning from you. Cheers.
I actually don’t think the US plans to shut down again. Maybe a few places will, but even that is doubtful. The vocal minority is strong (as we’ve seen). They’ll bring their guns and loud words. I think the plan is to let the virus just have its way and let Natural Selection work (strongest, smartest, luckiest survive).
Meanwhile I think the economy will naturally tank because when deaths and lasting side effects start happening on a scale that they did elsewhere, few will want to venture out. Once people start seeing others have issues it makes an impression. TV deaths “elsewhere” only do so much. Those who don’t care won’t be a high enough percentage to keep much going. Even if they are 50% I suspect many businesses can’t make it.
(ETA: Sweden didn’t shut down and their economy is tanking more than their neighbors last I read.)
I keep hoping I’m wrong (summer? Vit D?), because I really want to get life back to a reasonable normal, but if I had to place bets…
So, I’m hoping the medical race can get to the wire first with effective treatments and then a safe, effective vaccine. I’m also wondering if they will open up the tests for the vaccine for volunteers anywhere near me.
Barring the medical team winning (or summer/Vit D/similar) those who survive will have to pick up the economic pieces afterward.
The result is that the US is probably headed toward economic disaster and numerous deaths due to COVID-19. Divided we fall…
Summer may be only a temporary reprieve, and the virus may come back worse in the autumn if people become complacent during the summer.
While bad, I really don’t think the situation will be as catastrophic as this. This isn’t Ebola where 50% die from the disease. The young and healthy will continue to work, go outside, spend money, and keep the economy going. People like my 97 year old MIL will continue to shelter in place with her caregiver. If she gets COV-19 she is likely be done, but the chances of an exposure is greatly diminished by staying at home and taking maximum precautions.
I think the phased loosing of the economy is the right thing to do with the appropriate precautions in place. I recently saw an article that getting the virus from surfaces, while it can happen, is much more rare than direct contact with another infected person (e.g. someone coughing near you). If we wear masks and are diligent about social distancing, even when in public, this disease should slow down considerably. This is not the beginning of the end of the world…when THAT virus hits we will know it…
My middle aged and senior patients are all being careful, in their own ways. Many worry about their parents and friends who seem to go to the crowded stores, gyms, beaches, etc. conflicts arise when one group doesn’t want to be close to the other.
But it gives the medical team more time. There would be that bonus.
“If” is the important word here. If people would do it, I agree that it should work. I don’t believe there’s enough people doing it for it to be effective.
I don’t think it takes 50% of the population dying before not enough folks will be out and about keeping the economy going. Seeing one person they know really suffer from it will be sufficient for many to voluntarily put things on hold. Humans get fearful over alar or shark attacks or plane crashes.
I’m not sure many businesses can survive on 50-80% of “normal” for any length of time. I don’t see those going out as being the same generation that has more money to spend and I don’t see them picking up the slack from those who do less.
Roughly 25% of those in NYC have antibodies. That leaves 75% in the hardest hit area to go and more in most other places. It could be awhile.
Time will tell.
I want to believe that enough people will wear masks and social distance enough to keep things slowed down enough to keep the virus from getting ahead of us again. But I don’t really. So many people think it’s “just” – old people. the incarcerated, meat-packing workers, the poor, people with pre-existing conditions. It’s human to look for reasons that it won’t be you. But the virus really, really doesn’t care. It only cares if you are available. And if those of us who have been fortunate enough to stay home start being in rooms with lots of people it can easily be us.
Or, is it older with co-morbidiites? (Of course, at least half of the oldsters have co-mobidities.)
One of my aunts lives in a senior mobile home community in California. She and a number of other residents are going about their days socializing without distancing, getting in each other’s cars to go to various places, etc, and generally pooh-pooh-ing the whole crisis. She said she doesn’t understand what the big deal is – 70,000 people die every year in the US from the flu (I know this isn’t true, it’s just what she said). This is a woman in her early 70’s. 
Ohio Republican legislators (all but 2) tried to limit our State Health Director from imposing any future state shutdowns over 14 days. Our Governor, also a Republican, said he would stand behind the Health Director and veto any such bill.
How about no internet-related services? OMG, the total breakdown of economy/society should internet service break down. City services like garbage/sewer/water? Postal service?
There are a lot more “essential services” than we might think of off hand.
You’re right of course… but it’s still heartbreaking to see what democracy in America looks like today.
I’ve often been told I lean too much toward the negative or dark side. Reading some of these dire predictions, I have to say I’m much more optimistic than I get credit for. I also do not see the end of the world coming. I believe that a second wave makes people realize for once and for all that social distancing, masks, continued medical advances are what it’s going to take for the foreseeable future. Once everyone gets on board with those things, new infections slow down. Commerce limps along and we survive collectively to see better times. Then finally comes the vaccine, and we truly begin the road to recovery.
Call me Pollyanna, which is something I’ve NEVER been called, lol.
My money is on a huge huge decrease in flu infections this year.
And an increase in those opting for flu shots!