As the world is currently under a strict COVID-19 lockdown, groups of people have been protesting against this policy, demanding the eradication of lockdown to recover economy. However, will an anti-lockdown protest really benefit the economy?
As many experts have answered, the answer to the question is no, this kind of protests will not help at all. Instead, it can potentially backfire, resulting in unnecessary losses and delay in economic reopening.
From the perspective of Linda Thunstrom, an economist from the University of Wyoming, the protest will not help much to the economy. She even said that social distancing and lockdown are worth the economic fallout, if it happens.
Moreover, experts have been arguing that these rallies are more of a political movement rather than an economic one. Some figures are using the moment to gain favor for themselves to back up their ulterior motives.
Overall, the anti-lockdown protest does not positively contribute to the economy. It will, in addition, cause the curve to escalate again, risking more lives and halting business and economy reopening.
Also Read: Quezon City Tells No Additional Area Under Lockdown
Anti-Lockdown Protest: What the People Say
The issue of cancelling coronavirus lockdown has been widely sparking debates throughout the world. Specifically in the US and Europe, the protests are getting riskier and more dangerous.
However, what do the people all over the globe have to say about this? Do they prefer to ease or even cancel the lockdown in order to “recover” the economy?
According to a poll published on the World Economic Forum, the majority of people globally favors lockdown over the opposite. 67% of the respondents globally agrees that the government should prioritize to save more lives even if the economy should receive more damage and recover more slowly.
This majority, furthermore, includes those people in countries witnessing the protests such as the US, France, Germany, and Spain. In other words, people globally believe that saving lives are more important than saving the economy, at least for now.
Also Read: The Good and the Bad of Contact Tracing Apps