What Comes Next?

Here in April 2020, we are still in the middle of the Corona 19 pandemic but it is hard not to think about how things are going to change. Will it mean the end of Neoliberalism? Possibly but unlikely. We will still find ourselves dependent on international trade, the internet and money as we know it. Much depends on the next few months. If things wind down fairly quick, the disruption will be less painful obviously. There will be less long term change. If the crisis stretches into the summer and beyond who knows? What has changed already?

Many small businesses are not coming back. Hard to get back going with a quarter or two of zero or negative cash flow. That's a lot of people not going right back to work on that, as of now, elusive lifting of stay at home orders. The unemployment will run out and then what? We can only keep the circus going for so long. Meanwhile, the Walmarts of the world barely miss a beat. We are stuck on a hamster wheel of never ending debit bubbles. We too quickly forget the long history of socialism for the rich, S & L, Airline, Bank and automaker Bailouts. Trillions of dollars... Gone. Are you starting to see why we cannot have nice things like  affordable healthcare, a living wage and education as an investment (not a black hole of debit)? But math being math, this will end sooner or later. When the wheel finally flies apart, then what? 

Use the time now to learn new skills that will be of use in a post corona, post bailout world. Anything to do using your hands may be a good idea. Building stuff, repairing things and skilled trades never go out of use. Knowing  how to deal with others never goes out of style either. If you can sell, you will always have a job. Computers will still be around in one form or another. Learn something there. Working from home may become a norm. In many countries around the world the home is also the shop. Why pay for office space when you don't have to? Why waste time and gas commuting? Working from home is not as easy as it sounds. You still need self-discipline and have a schedule.   Build time in for exercise so you don't become a diabetic couch potato with liver failure and heart disease. Cook at home to eat better and save money. We are way too dependent on external systems too complicated to last indefinitely. Speaking of complicated, what about healthcare?  

Healthcare will not be the same. I like the no waiting around e-visit I had (non-corona related). That's gotta be better for everyone. I like skipping the petri dish waiting room! If I need tho come in, the doc can let me know. Send in my prescription and I'm good! On a less positive note, this crisis will sink a lot of insurance  and healthcare companies. Where I am a hospital stay costs around $1k a night with no complications. Days and days in ICU's and or on ventilators will easily run into six figure bills for somebody. Who's left holding the bag? You cannot get it from the newly unemployed and homeless guy. Will Uncle Sam (Sugar) pick up this tab as well? We can all ride the inflation rocket to the moon! What about the awkward hospital visit? Will this too disappear for good? Doubtful. This is a basic human duty after all. Just keep it short; a half hour or less is plenty. Let's hope there is some self reflection within healthcare. What went wrong? What went right? What can we do better? National government seems incapable of such thoughts. I doubt that will change.    

Neoliberalism has already won the US election. What happens if this structure indeed falls apart? Would Joe really have any better ideas on how to  build an alternative than the Donald? Possibly, but he has to win first. That's in doubt. Our government seems utterly incapable of solving problems of those with less than seven figure incomes. This bodes ill for long term stability. In the long run this is a much bigger challenge than covid-19.