‘We can’t take shortcuts’: Economist urges continuation of social distancing to avoid recession – By Cassandra Stephenson (Nashville Tennessean) / April 13 2020
As shutdowns caused by COVID-19 devastate businesses and unemployment rates skyrocket, economist Heather Boushey said the best way to avoid a deep recession is to resist the urge to reopen businesses and extend social distancing mandates until the pandemic subsides.
“We can’t take shortcuts,” said Boushey, CEO of the Washington Center for Equitable Growth and former economist for the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress.
“As long as people can still get sick in places of business or in their workplaces, and so long as our health system is being overtaxed because there are just too many cases, we’re not going to be able to get the economy functioning back the way we would like it to. It simply won’t be possible.”
Tennessee Small Business Alliance Director Lenda Sherrell and Franklin-area Pulmonary Specialist Aaron Milstone joined Boushey Friday during a conference in cautioning lawmakers to keep business restrictions in place, opposing those who have called for a more rapid re-opening of the economy.
Gov. Bill Lee issued a mandate closing non-essential businesses and ordering Tennesseans to stay at home on April 2 after initial reluctance caused by the desire to protect personal liberties and livelihoods, he said. The order was originally slated to end on April 14.
Continue to article: https://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2020/04/13/economist-continuing-social-distancing-best-bet-avoid-recession/5133442002/
