By Kelsey Ott
This coronavirus pandemic has led many people to begin to realize the most important things in life, and to think about the economy in a much different way than before. It has led many of us realize just how much we rely upon one another and how each action we have impacts each other. The question remains in this pandemic of how the country should proceed during the outbreak. Biden posted his plan for reopening the economy. He asserts that social distancing must continue to occur until the number of new coronavirus cases has a significant decrease. He asserts next that “there needs to be widespread, easily available and prompt testing” and that the tests the country is currently running must be doubled. He states that, “Third, we have to make sure that our hospitals and healthcare system are ready for flare-ups of the disease that may occur when economic activity expands again.”
In the last two months, more than 36 million people have claimed unemployment. With so many people out of work, homelessness is likely to increase (as I have seen in my own town on my few drives) and that will surely lead to the worsening of this outbreak. Because the decision-making has been left to state governments, each state is essentially on its own to deal with the issues that have come as a result of the shutdown of non-essential business. According to the CDC website, people who are experiencing homelessness and coronavirus symptoms:
Should stay in a place where they can best be isolated from other people to prevent spreading the infection. Local health departments, housing authorities, homeless service systems, and healthcare facilities should plan to identify locations to isolate those with known or suspected COVID-19.
The consequences of the economic shut down are left to be cleaned up by local authorities. A poll taken by The New York Times in May found that “more than half of those applying for unemployment benefits in recent weeks were unsuccessful.” If people cannot receive aid from the federal government, there is no way for them to continue to pay rent and support themselves. On Biden’s website, it states that, “The Biden Plan calls for expanded and broadened unemployment benefits that ensure our unemployment benefit policies are responsive to the depth and nature of this health and economic crisis.” While the Trump Administration has appeared to ignore the issue, Biden has come up with a comprehensive plan to aid workers.
As we look to the 2020 election, we must look to Biden, as he is the only candidate who has spoken out about giving economic aid to people who are out of work. An economic plan to aid individuals who are out of work is essential. It seems in a time of such crisis, the political officials must take a look at the federal budget and figure out a plan to aid those who are out of work. In Biden’s plan to combat the impact the shutdown has had on the economy, his website states that: “Much more needs to be done, now, to bring our country together, respond to this emergency, and set the groundwork for bold, long-term reforms, including ensuring quality, affordable health care and a comprehensive paid leave program for every American.” His proposal for a paid leave program for workers who contract the illness would pay for their leave for the mandatory 14 days of isolation. His website also states, “Joe Biden believes we must do whatever it takes, spend whatever it takes, to deliver relief for our families and ensure the stability of our economy.” Biden’s plan provides clear plans to give American workers aid, and encourages the passage of the Family Act, with the goal “to provide paid family and medical leave benefits to certain individuals, and for other purposes” (Congress.gov).
If Trump is re-elected, it is highly unlikely that much will change, or that Americans will be ensured economic aid from the government. It is more important than ever to vote in the 2020 election for the fate of the economy.
CDC. “Interim Guidance on People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness.” Coronavirus Disease 2019.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2019. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/homeless-shelters/unsheltered-homelessness.html
Biden, Joe. “Joe Biden: My Plan to Safely Reopen America.” The New York Times. April 12, 2020.
Biden, Joe. “The Biden Plan to Combat Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Prepare for Future Global Health
Threats.” 2020. Biden President. https://joebiden.com/covid19
History Lab 