I made a commitment to minimize possible virus transmission as a part of my patriotism and self-protection. I neither wish to acquire nor spread the disease. I am not alone. Many of my friends have gone into seclusion.
I stopped eating out. This resulted in huge savings, so I also decided it was OK to shop at the ritzy food stores and not worry about the price of anything I buy. I have also become a better cook, something I was never really previously interested in.
The result is that, even though I am buying expensive food, I am spending less on food because no restaurant bills.
I feel badly for the servers, restaurant workers and musicians I no longer support, so I am happy to support government programs to supplant their missing income, such as the proposed additional $1400 direct payments.
Republicans want to try to make sure these payments go only to those shown to be in need, but I see that as ridiculous because there is no way to identify them. Many restaurant workers don't hold a job long enough to qualify for unemployment. The musicians are often not even employees. Many musical venues have already closed for lack of business. How is a business-owner to qualify for unemployment after having to shutter their business? They did not get laid off.
Naturally, these $1400 payments will go to some people who do not need them. That's fine, actually. Many people who get a windfall that is not needed will go out and buy something they would not have otherwise purchased. This creates jobs, work and hours for workers already employed.
Typically, if I want to buy something now, I order it online. There is a clear path from hospitality worker to warehouse/delivery work, so that is helpful for some, but not all.
We need those payments!
