As the coronavirus continues to pose a threat, massive amount of businesses are shutting down. Officials at local and state levels are declaring that facilities must close their doors to stop the spread of COVID-19. This sentiment continues to gain momentum as health officials encourage social distancing, avoiding gatherings of more than ten people, and the like.
“Tucker Carlson” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Gage Skidmore
Last night, Fox News host Tucker Carlson spoke about the need for a balanced response to coronavirus. Carlson noted that while shutting down every public space may appear as a simple, easy solution, it’s anything but. Moreover came the Fox News host’s highlight of the dangerous economic repercussions that will follow weeks and weeks of businesses being completely shut down and out of work.
Carlson on Coronavirus, Public Health, and Protection of Economic Stability
When addressing the nation, Carlson first noted Americans’ common goal of keeping people safe and halting the spread of COVID-19. Explaining the importance of coronavirus prevention, Carlson also pointed out the need to protect our country’s economy. The Fox News host shed light on the dangers of an economic decline, despite the good intentions of preventing coronavirus’ spread.
Additional key points in Carlson’s segment touched upon the need to save jobs and the consequences of putting countless individuals out of work all at once. Some of the people hit hardest by mass amounts of business shutdowns are retail workers, restaurant staffers, and others who greatly contribute to the economy.
Towards the end of his program, Carlson endorsed the implementation of a German reduced-hour employment program. A plan of this nature would prevent job layoffs and ensure that employees are still given hours to work, albeit reduced hours in the fight against COVID-19.
A Healthy Middle Ground
Keeping Americans safe is imperative, as is not tanking the economy. Individuals, especially those on the left, who call for mass shutdowns of businesses with no thought for the economic consequences aren’t living in the real world. As Carlson stated, a balanced solution or healthy middle ground is imperative to taking on COVID-19 without destroying our economy in the process.
“White House Press Briefing” (Public Domain) by The White House
The weeks to come will provide significant insight into not only the state of coronavirus, but also the aftermath of various reactions to it. Keeping in mind the importance of public health along with the protection of our nation’s economy are each simultaneously possible. One shouldn’t (and doesn’t have to) come at the expense of the other.
What do you view as some of the best solutions to handling coronavirus? Are you concerned about the impact that mass business shutdowns will have on the economy? Let us know in the comments section below!
