How Much is an American Life Worth?
The simple solution to opening up the economy and saving lives: wear a mask.
Lift all COVID-19 restrictions or return to the full lockdowns experienced last spring? These are the false choices that Trump and his surrogates have presented to the American people. The majority of Americans understand the necessity of wearing masks in addition to COVID-19 testing and safety protocols in order to open schools and businesses safely. They realize that refraining from large gatherings are sacrifices we must endure as society seeks to make incremental steps towards a new normal during the coronavirus crisis. The substantial proportion of those who refuse to wear masks, however, block real progress on reducing the spread of coronavirus and the subsequent cases, hospitalizations, and deaths that result. This group speaks of personal responsibility rather than government regulations. In actuality, they refused to even acknowledge that they have an obligation towards society’s public safety.
Trump is fueling this resistance to mask-wearing by increasing his assault on the effectiveness of masks, along with holding large mass rallies that do not demand or even encourage mask-wearing. Trump has deterred participation in wearing masks by mocking those who do wear masks, demanding reporters take them off, and through his personal example and that of his family and staff. Despite Trump’s own experience with COVID-19, he is now actively discouraging mask-wearing by repeating on numerous occasions the false claim that 85% of people who wear a mask get the coronavirus.
Masks are the most effective means of reducing the spread of coronavirus and are the key to reopening larger sectors of the economy.
Conservatives often rolex datejust 126334wro mens 41mm gp factory white dial argue that the greater economic good sometimes means being less sensitive to individuals’ health and well-being (i.e., death tolerant). From the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, Republicans have frequently suggested that society must be willing to accept a higher death count for the country’s economic well-being. In late March this sentiment was articulated by Texas Lieutenant Governor: when he said: “that plenty of seniors would be willing to sacrifice their lives in order to preserve the economy for their grandchildren.”
This proposition that economic progress requires the sacrifice of social benefits is rarely true, and it is completely false on the topic of the coronavirus crisis. For COVID-19, high death rates can be more devastating on the economy than government restrictions. For example, Sweden put in fewer coronavirus restrictions than its neighbors, Denmark, Norway, and Finland. By July, “Per million people, Sweden has suffered 40 percent more deaths than the United States, 12 times more than Norway, seven times more than Finland and six times more than Denmark.” The economy gained $0 for these preventable deaths. The negative economic impact of the coronavirus on Sweden’s economy was nearly identical to its Scandinavian neighbors. It turns out that overcrowded hospitals and a tidal wave of deaths will shut down restaurants and businesses on their own.
What can achieve change?
New studies continue to provide additional support for the effectiveness and importance of masks as well as their necessity for economic growth. The relationship between masks and the economy, however, has been established for months. In July, Goldman Sachs estimated that a mask mandate could important link prevent a 5% hit to GDP from the coronavirus crisis. Why then do only 60% say they always wear a mask? Why does 18% of the population completely deny the effectiveness of masks at all? Is there anything that can change these numbers in a positive direction?
The fact that mask-wearing has become a symbol of political and cultural identity is discouraging. Not all Republicans, however, agree with Trump’s disregard for masks. Even amongst adults who strongly approve of Trump, 68% do believe that masks are effective. Thus, on the eve of the U.S. Presidential election, it is worth considering the impact of a Joe Biden administration on mask usage. The biggest effect may simply be a unified message from the White House and its own public health officials. A national mask mandate, as recommended by Dr. Fauci, would help even more.
Will it be enough? Trump’s core supporters are unlikely to be moved under any circumstances. Therefore some areas of the country will likely still see significant coronavirus transmission. There is no way to know if enough of the population will be swayed to significantly alter the percentage of Americans wearing masks. But as the poll numbers show a steady rise in the gap between Biden and Trump, I am more hopeful than I have been in the last few months.
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