Lives vs. Lives: Why Reopening (Responsibly) Is Critical

States are beginning to gradually reopen their economies in line with
President Trump's recent guidance. That's terrific news
- and not just for American pocketbooks.

As states evaluate when and how to reopen their economies, some
governors may be reticent to reopen because they believe the narrative
that this is a question of lives versus money. One New York Times
column went so far as to imply that those who want to reopen the
economy view people as "disposable." By keeping businesses
closed, goes the narrative, states can protect the lives of its
citizens. And that is understandable to a point. But the longer the
shutdowns last, the more it becomes a matter of

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lives versus lives.

Every life is precious, which is why Family Policy Alliance works hard
to protect all life from conception to natural death. As a society, we
must do all we can to save each individual who is sickened by this
virus. Further, it is important and right that we take reasonable
steps to limit the spread to others, especially the most vulnerable
among us.

Indeed, we should be grateful to live in a country where life -
at least after one is born - is mostly valued. And we can be
thankful that, unlike many impoverished nations, we have the resources
to briefly pause our economy without immediate, catastrophic
consequences.

But as some leaders, including a health advisor to Democrat nominee
Joe Biden, openly discuss a need for shutdowns that could last 18
months or more, some serious disconnects are coming into focus.

The original justification for the shutdown was simply to flatten the
curve so as not to overwhelm our health system. But now, some seem to
be moving the goalposts - saying that as long as people are
dying from the virus, it would be irresponsible to reopen the economy.

That viewpoint has two major flaws. First, it implies that Americans
should aspire to live lives without risk. That is not an American
ideal nor a Judeo-Christian ethic, and it's not the way any
average American lives. Controlling major risks in the heart of
coronavirus hotspots is one thing; keeping an economy closed even in
areas where viral impact is minimal is quite another.

Second, the shutdowns themselves are already putting lives at risk,
and the longer they go, the worse it will get. Already, economists
have projected unemployment as high as 32 percent - just from
the current shutdowns. To put that in perspective, the peak
unemployment rate during the Great Depression was 24.9 percent.
It's no wonder that calls to some suicide and mental health
hotlines have already skyrocketed - 25,000 per week in Indiana
alone, a 25-fold increase.

Continuing the shutdowns any longer than necessary threatens to bring
the American economy to its knees. The cost in lives, suffering and
mental anguish would be unknown to any recent generation of American
families.

That's why the outlook for states pursuing an imminent and
responsible reopening of the American economy is good news indeed for
the life of our nation.

For life,


John Paulton
Mobilization Manager

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