Friday, May 29, 2020
The world is PAUSED, or...
Life on lockdown.
When historians and pundits look back at our current situation, will they look at the loss of life, the political blame game, or the economic damage? I have a feeling it will be the last facet more than the others. The planet is all but shut down, all because of a virus previously known for causing the common cold. The New York City area has been hit especially hard, due to our walking culture and population density. Southern Westchester became an epicenter, with New Rochelle on full lockdown, enforced by the National Guard. The story was published 3 weeks ago and the forced quarantine has been lifted, only to be replaced by a more general shutdown all over the state. Stores are closed; people are either working from home or are laid off, hoping for a lifting of these conditions or unemployment. There's a massive stimulus bill preparing to shower money on businesses and individuals. It won't be enough, unless people are also free to move about, spending and earning as they go.
I share a text chain with Scott and two other guys with a similar political and economic world view, and unless I feel I have something helpful or interesting to say, I usually stay quiet. One of the things I did say, as the four of us were debating stimulus, New York's policy choices, etc. was that money is basically an illusion. It has value because we say it does, and the government enforces that belief with the force of law behind it. I've said much the same on this blog. The economy is not an illusion, but because it uses currency, rather than the direct barter of physical goods and services, it does require some degree of faith. I believe this dollars I'm receiving today will allow me to buy something I need in the future. Right now I can't buy anything beyond food and gas. Even Amazon is delaying shipments on non-essential items, but I haven't been tempted to waste money shopping online anyway.
When historians and pundits look back at our current situation, will they look at the loss of life, the political blame game, or the economic damage? I have a feeling it will be the last facet more than the others. The planet is all but shut down, all because of a virus previously known for causing the common cold. The New York City area has been hit especially hard, due to our walking culture and population density. Southern Westchester became an epicenter, with New Rochelle on full lockdown, enforced by the National Guard. The story was published 3 weeks ago and the forced quarantine has been lifted, only to be replaced by a more general shutdown all over the state. Stores are closed; people are either working from home or are laid off, hoping for a lifting of these conditions or unemployment. There's a massive stimulus bill preparing to shower money on businesses and individuals. It won't be enough, unless people are also free to move about, spending and earning as they go.
I share a text chain with Scott and two other guys with a similar political and economic world view, and unless I feel I have something helpful or interesting to say, I usually stay quiet. One of the things I did say, as the four of us were debating stimulus, New York's policy choices, etc. was that money is basically an illusion. It has value because we say it does, and the government enforces that belief with the force of law behind it. I've said much the same on this blog. The economy is not an illusion, but because it uses currency, rather than the direct barter of physical goods and services, it does require some degree of faith. I believe this dollars I'm receiving today will allow me to buy something I need in the future. Right now I can't buy anything beyond food and gas. Even Amazon is delaying shipments on non-essential items, but I haven't been tempted to waste money shopping online anyway.
