Putting the economy first

Trump neglected to introduce lockdown measures on businesses despite pressure from experts. His reasoning was clear: he was not willing to sacrifice the economy for the sake of the people. As Anthony Panke writes, "The latest development in the president's critically flawed response to the pandemic is the false optimism that he has created by stating that the country "could open for business" by Easter."^[1]. Throughout this crisis, the President has remained steadfast in his position that the economy must come first. At times, he has gone so far as to suggest citizens should sacrifice themselves to avoid plunging the country into a recession. Demetri Sevastopulo and Hannah Kuchler note, 'The president has received withering criticism from many Democrats and some Republicans over the slow federal response, the inadequate level of testing and his push to ease social distancing guidelines to rescue the sinking economy'^[2]. This gross mismanagement of a country in crisis, and dangerous policy priorities, have allowed the virus to spread at great speed.

[P1] Defeating the virus requires urgent public health reform [P2] The government is prioritising the economy