As Covid-19 lockdown measures continue across the world, unemployment rates have spiked, and several businesses have collapsed. Stimulus packages are key to addressing these issues and reviving the economy. Although these packages may increase national debt, they are essential to avoid a protracted recession.

Rory Johnston

Rory Johnston, Managing Director and Market Economist at Price Street, shared a graph depicting the various rescue packages announced by countries across the world to deal with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The graph shows that emerging markets are leading in handing out direct cash payments compared to advance economies.

Ernie Tedeschi

Ernie Tedeschi, former US Treasury economist, tweeted that the Covid-19 outbreak and unemployment rate of more than 20% is a bigger problem than national debt. The tweet was in response to US Senator Mitch McConnell’s comment stating that states should declare bankruptcy rather than seek federal assistance.

Tedeschi added that the government should spend what is needed and reassess fiscal policy when the outbreak is controlled.

Pedro da Costa

Pedro da Costa, a reporter, shared an article about the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on low-income communities. He added that low-income jobs in the fields of retail, hospitality and childcare are at risk during lockdowns imposed by governments. Such jobs do not offer paid sick leave or health insurance.

Governments should target their stimulus packages towards these low-income communities and create an adequate standard of living for everyone, the article added.

Ludovic Subran

Ludovic Subran, chief economist at Allianz, shared an article detailing how household saving rates in Europe are expected to increased by an average of 36% in the second quarter of 2020 due to lockdown restrictions. This will equate to €1.3tn in additional savings or 10% of GDP.

Government should develop policies that focus on unlocking these savings by creating a conducive environment for increasing spending, the article adds. Some of the ways in which spending can be increased include supplementing existing unemployment and public guarantee schemes, and access to wealth management facilities.

https://twitter.com/Ludovic_Subran/status/1252879230473363456