Like so many others, I’ve spent the week thinking about Democratic politics (exhausting!) and COVID-19 (also exhausting!) As many have noted, America is particularly susceptible to a burgeoning pandemic because of our broken health care system (specifically: the number of people who are un- or under-covered by insurance, and thus will opt not to seek care) and the number of workers who lack paid sick leave.
In a weird chain of thought- I keep thinking back to a phrase that crept into my vocabulary from The Good Place. Our response to the outbreak is a matter of what we owe to each other. And I'm glad to see that being a more prominent part of the discussion than I expected.
I just read this again, 7 months on. I'm a little bummed about how...evergreen it is. And also (this is the same statement, but positive): it's still good advice! :)
As a non-American, I also believe Americans struggle with the idea that they could pay for something that may benefit others (i.e. not themselves). Hence I don't believe they will ever have a functional public health system, because it requires you pay into something that may not benefit you personally. And there's no value put on society as a whole being healthy, or educated or whatever. It's all about 'me', and my own.
Unfortunately, social distancing measures can also flatten the local economy.
Obviously, some businesses/professions will be disproportionately affected by people staying at home. Ex: restaurants/bars, concerts/events, tourism, transportation, etc. Many working in these sectors are already living paycheck to paycheck.
Workers contribute everyday by doing tasks/caring for others, manufacturing, fixing things, managing people, organizing events, etc. When people stay at home/are unable to work, we lose all this production in our economy. It just doesn't exist anymore.
The other subsequent issue is that when these workers/businesses aren't earning income, they don't have the money they normally use to then pay other businesses/ workers for their productivity. Ultimately it is a domino effect that will effect everyone.
So here is the suggestion: while we are social distancing and staying at home, we should still spend like everything is normal. How do we do this? We get creative! Go ahead and brainstorm and share your ideas in addition to what is suggested below:
-Schedule and pay for services rendered in the future.
-Buy gift certificates to your coffee shop, restaurant, bar.
-Pay your hairdresser, nail salon for a service in the future.
-If you are still purchasing some services, tip at least twice what you normally would.-If you need goods delivered, order from a local store.
-Make a flat out donation to a local business you patronize.
-Don't cancel your gym membership even if you aren't going.-If an event is canceled, don't ask for a refund, at least not a full refund. Everything will help!
Share this with everyone! Feel free to rewrite/repost with your own ideas. But, PLEASE do not make this partisan/divisive. Now more than ever we need to come together to fight COVID-19 and reduce the social/economic harm from it.Together we can and will get through this!
In a weird chain of thought- I keep thinking back to a phrase that crept into my vocabulary from The Good Place. Our response to the outbreak is a matter of what we owe to each other. And I'm glad to see that being a more prominent part of the discussion than I expected.
I just read this again, 7 months on. I'm a little bummed about how...evergreen it is. And also (this is the same statement, but positive): it's still good advice! :)
As a non-American, I also believe Americans struggle with the idea that they could pay for something that may benefit others (i.e. not themselves). Hence I don't believe they will ever have a functional public health system, because it requires you pay into something that may not benefit you personally. And there's no value put on society as a whole being healthy, or educated or whatever. It's all about 'me', and my own.
Such a good reminder. Caring only or mainly for one’s self creates isolation for everyone. We’re all in this together.
This is just so perfect. Thank you!
This was from a twitter thread:
A novel way everyone can help reduce the economic impacts of social distancing: Spend your money like there is no COVID-19.
If you haven't heard about the concept of social distancing & flattening the curve, you can do so here: (https://www.vox.com/2020/3/10/21171481/coronavirus-us-cases-quarantine-cancellation).
Unfortunately, social distancing measures can also flatten the local economy.
Obviously, some businesses/professions will be disproportionately affected by people staying at home. Ex: restaurants/bars, concerts/events, tourism, transportation, etc. Many working in these sectors are already living paycheck to paycheck.
Workers contribute everyday by doing tasks/caring for others, manufacturing, fixing things, managing people, organizing events, etc. When people stay at home/are unable to work, we lose all this production in our economy. It just doesn't exist anymore.
The other subsequent issue is that when these workers/businesses aren't earning income, they don't have the money they normally use to then pay other businesses/ workers for their productivity. Ultimately it is a domino effect that will effect everyone.
So here is the suggestion: while we are social distancing and staying at home, we should still spend like everything is normal. How do we do this? We get creative! Go ahead and brainstorm and share your ideas in addition to what is suggested below:
-Schedule and pay for services rendered in the future.
-Buy gift certificates to your coffee shop, restaurant, bar.
-Pay your hairdresser, nail salon for a service in the future.
-If you are still purchasing some services, tip at least twice what you normally would.-If you need goods delivered, order from a local store.
-Make a flat out donation to a local business you patronize.
-Don't cancel your gym membership even if you aren't going.-If an event is canceled, don't ask for a refund, at least not a full refund. Everything will help!
Everyone should go through last months budget and spend that again this month. If you are a business, do the same (https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhessekiel/2020/03/11/companies-taking-first-steps-to-support-covid-19-response-efforts/?fbclid=IwAR1uTvk32r7JL2FeccYhxRIYFX1OOtYsZ9vkEugZv-4mqIS1ip13rnwraEc#47ce054f6f8f). Everyone keep spending!
Share this with everyone! Feel free to rewrite/repost with your own ideas. But, PLEASE do not make this partisan/divisive. Now more than ever we need to come together to fight COVID-19 and reduce the social/economic harm from it.Together we can and will get through this!
Source: https://twitter.com/stop_cov_spread/status/1238620136497504260?s=20
Love this