Can US Afford A Nationwide Lockdown like India?

The United States of America has recorded the most number of Coronavirus cases overtaking China and Italy. There are close to 1500 deaths already. With no cure or vaccine around the corner, a nation like India could only call for a nationwide Lockdown which would slowdown the community spread and also ease the burden on the health care system.

So far only 13 states have enacted the strictest combination of restrictions — closures of all non-essential business as well as a prohibition on all gatherings but with several states having no strict restrictions, they are proving to be not so effective until now. However, US President Donald Trump also sounded not interested in a Lockdown considering the financial implications.

He wanted to restart the economy within three weeks, calling social distancing measures too disruptive. But then, if the question of choosing between the lives of citizens and the economy, it should not be difficult for the heads of the countries to choose. Disruption of the US economy with a Lockdown may impact the rest of the World as well.

Meanwhile, the house of representatives is mulling to push in a massive $2.2 trillion emergency aid package to combat the damage inflicted due to the outbreak. This would be the biggest emergency injection of money into the economy in history, even more than the bailouts of 2008 when the worldwide financial crisis sent the US economy into a tailspin.