How to Lock Down 2.6 Billion People Without Killing the Economy
Around one-third of the world's population is now in lockdown. Can the blow to people's livelihoods be cushioned?
Draconian measures will take their toll too.
Photographer: Cyril Marcilhacy/BloombergFor policy makers battling coronavirus disease Covid-19, whose epicenter is now in Europe, the choice has been stark. Economically painful national lockdowns threaten recession in the short term but ease the burden on health services. Softer, mitigating approaches let the infection run its course quicker but bring the risk of more people dying.
More countries are following the stricter so-called suppression route, understandably spooked by the rising tally of cases and reassured by China’s successful track record in using the strategy. Some 2.6 billion people across the world are under some form of movement restriction due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to AFP. Notable skeptic U.S. President Donald Trump has tweeted that he’s more worried about the cure being worse than the disease — the International Monetary Fund says the world will be in recession this year — but he’s increasingly alone. Even the U.K. has now imposed a lockdown, with very un-British police enforcement.