Americans backed by Republican leaders have in recent days started to protest against the continued shutdowns, arguing that the damage being done to the economy and citizens’ livelihoods outweighs the strain being placed on the healthcare system.
These protests have been fueled by President Donald Trump’s recent tweets which appeared to support protest movements popping up around the country.
Trump’s “LIBERATE” tweets deliberately targeted the US states of Minnesota, Michigan and Virginia. All three states are currently headed by Democratic governors, and Michigan is considered crucial to the president’s re-election bid in the November general election.
LIBERATE VIRGINIA, and save your great 2nd Amendment. It is under siege!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
Why are they protesting?
Demonstrators call for a reversal of ongoing lockdowns that have seen thousands of businesses close and more than 20 million Americans out of work.
In Minnesota, protesters in that state planned to gather in front of the governor’s mansion on Friday to protest against a stay-at-home order that has been in place since March 25 and businesses deemed non-essential have been closed since March 16.
Will be forever haunted by this image of protestors in Ohio demanding the governor open businesses back up pic.twitter.com/P0nivaYSsY
— future canon (@futurecanon) April 15, 2020
Enormous effect on the economy
As U.S. officials rush to contain the spread of disease, the federal government is also grappling with the dramatic—and unprecedented—toll the epidemic has had on the economy. In four weeks, 22 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits. Technical glitches have prevented millions of Americans from receiving their stimulus checks from the U.S. Government. And the Small Business Administration, which supports U.S. entrepreneurs with loans and funding, has run out of money for its Paycheck Protection Program.
The US and Eurozone’s economies could take until 2023 to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis, according to a new report from consultancy McKinsey & Company.
– Inputs from various sources