COVID-19: Are government resources better spent on public health or stimulating the economy?

Much of the world is now in lockdown to protect populations from the deadly spread of coronavirus. Yet, the US government is looking into an alternative approach. The latest statements from Donald Trump insist that 'the cure...[cannot be] worse than the disease'. These comments mark a striking policy difference to the rest of the world. Namely, they place more value on economic growth than on human life. During this unique pandemic, are government funds better spent on public health, or on stimulating the economy?

This is a false dichotomy

These two elements are intertwined. Neglecting public health will cause a damaging chain of events, including global economic ruin.

Hardline economism is obscuring the reality of coronavirus

Increasingly, political analyses use statistics and economic forecasts to make decisions. But these can be extremely misleading.

Government resources are better spent on economic growth

Stopping citizens from returning to work during the pandemic, will lead to a protracted economic crisis.

Needs of a minority can't outweigh the future of a nation

Either way sacrifices will have to be made; the greater good should come first.

Poorer states with few cases will disproportionately suffer

Blanket lockdown will unfairly crash economies where there are no coronavirus cases. When it comes to the smaller, less wealthy states, the longer they stay shut down, the more they will feel the disproportionate effects on their economies.

Government resources are better spent on public health

Life is sacred. And the consequences of treating it as anything else will be devastating.

The strength of the economy depends on an able workforce

If additional funding is not put into protecting citizens from the coronavirus, the economy is doomed.

The role of the state is to protect its citizens

Human life is sacred, the economy is not. The government should look after the health and safety of citizens first. If everyone is too sick to work, the economy's health won't matter.
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This page was last edited on Friday, 27 Mar 2020 at 14:42 UTC