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But it's already become part of the normal and lockdown is the last measure available.Look I get it. We have to live with this and face masks and 2 metres etc is going to be the norm that doesn't bother me but there is risk in life and at some point covid has to become part of that risk. Growing up I had measles and mumps, most of the kids in my school did. If I remember rightly one kids ended up disabled from measles. The last 30 years we in Western societies have had the privilege of not worrying about virus/diseases etc apart from HIV. The rest of the world on the other hand has had to deal with them and they tend to be doing a lot better during this pandemic. A pandemic which had effectively crashed the economies of most of Europe and North America. I just don't think we can avoid this virus taking its eventual toll. I was talking to my ex the other day who's Polish and during the first out break Poland coped very well, no panic buying, social distancing etc but this time it's a lot worse even though the same control measures are in place. New Zealand is being given of an example of great virus control when it's really geography that's spared it the worst so far, eventually it will have to deal with it.
It's a **** situation but pretending we can stop this virus by locking down and knackering up the economy isn't going to work. The more people out of work the less tax revenue to fund the NHS, the more unemployment the bigger equality will become and more health problems associated with poverty will have to be dealt. If people are vulnerable then they need to take steps to protect themselves but the rest of the population needs to carry on as best it can.
unfortunately tax revenues will have to suffer until you get a hold of the Pandemic. Until we do then the economy is going to suffer regardless
Government borrowing is already horrendous but currently interest rates are historically low. And if extra borrowing is needed for NHS then Govt will have to borrow until this pandemic is back under control then this is the time to do it. Yes, we will have to pay it and the interest someday and likely passed on to your kids etc.
You talk about NZ, but don't mention HK, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, China, the South East Asian economies who have gotten hold of their Pandemic and lived and learnt from SARS and MERs. It can be controlled but it needs a comprehensive Government policy, testing/tracing system and all of the population to buy into it to limit the spread. For me it says a lot of our society how we look after our Vulnerable.
Western societies seem to think to hell with them as long as I am ok mentality. And No Government wants to lock down the country it ducks up the economy and they will get the blame. It is a last resort and shows how much our one has royally fcked up yet again.