Not a single economist or public health expert. 
Lemme risk being serious at this moment and do some economics. No committee to re-open the economy can succeed if they're not perceived to be credible.
If you don't have faith that the federal government is looking out for your health, would you be willing to resume normal life?
If you don't have faith that the federal government is looking out for your health, would you be willing to resume normal life?
At some point, it will be safe to resume normal economic life.
But how will we know?
If people don't trust the White House—whether they're worried about a lack of expertise, or that they're focused more on political goals—they'll stay home even when govt experts say it's safe.
But how will we know?
If people don't trust the White House—whether they're worried about a lack of expertise, or that they're focused more on political goals—they'll stay home even when govt experts say it's safe.
Without credibility, proclamations that it's safe won't work, and a private lockdown will replace the govt-mandated one.
If that happens, the recession will needlessly drag on.
As the govt throws away its credibility, it destroys its ability to prevent an ongoing downturn.
If that happens, the recession will needlessly drag on.
As the govt throws away its credibility, it destroys its ability to prevent an ongoing downturn.
My advice to President Trump: Quit flirting with whether or not you'll re-open the economy. It's not just your choice, and you need buy-in.
Bring in non-politicized experts to lay out markers for when it'll make sense. Have independent folks track those data. Bring us all along.
Bring in non-politicized experts to lay out markers for when it'll make sense. Have independent folks track those data. Bring us all along.
