Smart States Have the Edge in Fighting COVID-19. The United States Isn’t One of Them.
Share
[aggregation-styles]
The Washington Post SubscriptionThe United States is in a unique position among the world’s most advanced countries. Far from having flattened the covid-19 curve, it is watching as cases spike in several populous states, and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony S. Fauci is recommending that these places “seriously look at shutting down” their economies again. Meanwhile, in other rich countries — as diverse as Germany, South Korea, and even Spain and Italy — the number of new cases plummeted months ago and has stayed low. America is still exceptional, but no longer in a good sense.
The Washington Post SubscriptionThe United States is in a unique position among the world’s most advanced countries. Far from having flattened the covid-19 curve, it is watching as cases spike in several populous states, and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony S. Fauci is recommending that these places “seriously look at shutting down” their economies again. Meanwhile, in other rich countries — as diverse as Germany, South Korea, and even Spain and Italy — the number of new cases plummeted months ago and has stayed low. America is still exceptional, but no longer in a good sense.
To understand why this is happening, let’s start by examining something the United States got right: economic stimulus. In March and April, despite the most polarized political climate since the aftermath of the Civil War, Congress provided $2.4 trillion in relief, and the Federal Reserve provided even more. This adds up to about 25 percent of gross domestic product, one of the largest spending efforts in the world. That might explain why the stock market has barely noticed that the economy remains in its worst condition since the Great Depression.
By Fareed Zakaria | 9 July 2020
RELATED TOPICS:
CA Has Seen Many New Towns, but This Big Project Is Stalled
Opinion /
2 hours ago
Fresno Man Sentenced to 29 Years for Sexually Assaulting Children and Dog
Crime /
13 hours ago
Bulldogs’ Two-Position Standout Tommy Hopfe Signs With Rockies
Sports /
13 hours ago
Former Bulldog QB Jake Haener: I Have a ‘Rare Form of Skin Cancer’
Sports /
14 hours ago
The Many Names of GOP Vice Presidential Nominee JD Vance
Latest /
15 hours ago
Jack Black, a Small Dog With a Big Heart, Is Looking for His Forever Home
In October last year, a heartwarming tale of resilience and recovery began in the unlikeliest of places: a crate abandoned in an alley. This...
Animals /
34 mins ago
Categories
Latest
Videos
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/26125735/Rescued-from-abandonment-and-near-starvation-Jack-a-once-fearful-and-emaciated-dog-has-transformed-into-a-healthy-loving-companion.-Mells-Mutts-1024x538.jpg)
Animals /
34 mins ago
Jack Black, a Small Dog With a Big Heart, Is Looking for His Forever Home
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/25112306/AP2141106817163116-1-1024x576.jpg)
Food /
54 mins ago
What Italian Grandmothers Can Teach You About Healthy Eating
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/26104129/021624-California-Forever-LE-CM-29.jpg-1024x576.jpg)
Opinion /
2 hours ago
CA Has Seen Many New Towns, but This Big Project Is Stalled
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/26170645/Gage-Mason-20-was-sentenced-to-29-years-in-state-prison-for-sexually-assaulting-multiple-children-and-a-dog-and-will-also-be-required-to-register-as-a-sex-offender-1024x538.jpg)
Crime /
13 hours ago
Fresno Man Sentenced to 29 Years for Sexually Assaulting Children and Dog
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/26161707/Tommy-Hopfe-with-the-Colorado-Rockies_1280X720-1024x576.jpg)
Sports /
13 hours ago