| JRPGfan said: Okay Teequz, after reading your last post, it sounds like we mostly just talking past each other. Also ofc the economy matters, and this wont go on forever. So naturally there comes a point, where you have to ask weather its time to open things back up. We're still not anywhere close to that point though. |
Oh no, we certainly disagree as well, but the discussion will be fruitless (at least not worth the time it takes to research and formulate coherent arguments).
100 jobs gone per life saved is more than acceptable? I'm sure you have good intentions, but you haven't actually thought this through.
There are 150 million people employed in the US. This virus killing 1.5 million (~0.5% of the population) in America if it spreads unabated is very possible - and a huge tragedy. But if every single American has to lose their job to avoid it it is decidedly not worth it.
Saving the economy is also a matter of saving lives. It's just less obvious than saving people from Covid-19. You and I are lucky to live in countries with strong social nets, and we were both probably very sheltered from how serious the Great Financial Crisis was - I know I was at least. In fact both of my parents are government employees and I'm a student so I'll be sheltered from the financial effects of this crisis as well. But the GFC caused millions of personal bankruptcies, homes were foreclosed. That affects your financial wellbeing - and your personal wellbeing - for the rest of your life. The economic fallout will lead to people not being able to afford proper health insurance, a good education, not to mention a decent quality of life.
Furthermore, we are currently in need of a huge transition to renewable energy and green technology. A massive financial downturn will drastically reduce both governments' and private companies' ability to do the required investments for that transition. The most accepted estimate is 200 million climate refugees by 2050. Which in turn will lead to huge conflicts and millions of lives lost every year (and further economic damage).
It's frustrating to see so many completely lose perspective, but I'm not going to spend any more of my evening arguing about this.
