A Corona National Survival Plan: Full Jobless Benefits for Duration of Lockdown, Paid by Temporary Wealth Tax

[munkle]

Scary chit. Makes the case that extraordinary times require extraordinary measures. We need to stop this from becoming Venezuela. The streets are already getting spooky, and we ain't seen nothing yet.

Food pantries are emptying, unable to keep up with need. Now grocery supply chain workers are balking at risking their lives for low wages. No grocery chain workers, no food. We are looking at disaster full in the face. And that face is ugly.

Desperation-related crime is already rising, and we are only one month into the total lock-down. Police in some cities, like St. Paul, have openly stated they are not responding to theft or some other property crimes. We are seeing the tip of law and order breaking down.

Why We Need the Occupy Corona National Survival Plan or #OccupyCorona

There is a way for the U.S. to avoid the economic and social chaos that is unfolding before us. This article explores how the Corona National Survival Plan can save us from economic ruin.

hubpages.com

Solution, The Cliffs:

• Long-Term Jobless Benefits at 100% Paycheck - First, slam the brakes on long-term economic uncertainty and anxiety. If Dr. Emanuel says this lock-down must go on for 18 months, then workers must know that their unemployment benefits, at 100% of paycheck or close to it, will go on for the duration of the national emergency, until the day it is lifted. The $2 trillion CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act, signed by President Trump in March 2020, uses a different formula, adding $600 per week to normal unemployment benefits paid by the states' average weekly unemployment check to $985. This exceeds the median weekly earnings of $936 in the fourth quarter of 2019.
• Essential Workers Can Enroll in Medicare - Offer workers who are deemed "essential services" workers the immediate opportunity to enroll in Medicare, regardless of their age. These are sanitation workers, grocery chain workers, food processing plant, hardware store, etc. whom the government has already ascertained are essential to keeping society running. They have earned this. They cannot get sick and then get thrown under the bus.
• Keep the Food banks Open - Establish a $100 million dollar fund and staff to keep US food banks stocked and running, for anyone who meets the qualifications.

 

[MarathonMike]

My greatest concern is that we have set a precedent for fighting a virus that will be repeated until our country is unrecognizable.

 

[munkle]

My greatest concern is that we have set a precedent for fighting a virus that will be repeated until our country is unrecognizable.

That's exactly the plan. Very convenient for shutting down political protest. Grow food, and don't depend on Big Agra or the government.