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Sadly, this is a uniquely American failing. If you can't provide supports for people during a once-in-a-generation pandemic but have no problem taking out $20 T

• m0zg 6y ago
  I think you will soon discover that it's not a "uniquely American failing", but a fact of life that applies everywhere. I don't see how it's even up for debate that you can't stop the economy for six months and avoid severe repercussions, including deaths, for years to come, and that the government can't just will the stuff (food, goods) into existence with no work required from the population.
  • pianoben 6y ago
    It's a _tradeoff_. The thought is that the unmitigated death-toll of COVID-19 will be _worse_ for the economy (and by quite a lot) than sheltering in place for 6-12 months.
    • m0zg 6y ago
      Who's going to make food?
• SpicyLemonZest 6y ago
  All rich countries can support people for a bit, and the US is doing that, although the mechanisms that it's using I agree are not exactly ideal. In the long term, you can't subvert the fundamental fact that the economy is what allows people to obtain goods and services. If a country cuts production in half for a year, it won't be able to provide the standard of living to which its citizens are accustomed, no matter what financial wizardry is involved.