Topic: Crisis

AIER Hosts Top Epidemiologists, Authors of the Great Barrington Declaration

– October 5, 2020

The crisis of the policy response to Covid-19 drew AIER’s close attention from late January 2020 and following. The hosting of this crucial meeting was in the interest of backing the best science, promoting essential human rights, and reviving a focus on the common good.

Crisis, Economic Education, Government

A Curveball Isn’t an Existential Threat

– October 5, 2020

“Too many people over the past six months have taken leave of their senses. We, our children, and our grandchildren will long live with the consequences of this foolish panic – consequences that almost surely will inflict on humanity harms far worse than any that Covid could possibly have ever inflicted.” ~ Donald J. Boudreaux

Authoritarianism, Crisis, Economic Education, Government

Goodbye Grounded, My Favorite Coffee Bar Destroyed by Lockdowns

– October 5, 2020

“Multiply my story by the hundreds of thousands of patrons of their favorite store, bar, restaurant or coffee shop all over the City — and the hardworking owners of these establishments who poured their souls, lives, and savings into them — and you have a partial measure of the human cost, not just of Covid, but of the draconian lockdown policy and the other death-by-a-thousand-cuts regulations that have magnified its harm.” ~ Raymond C. Niles

Authoritarianism, Crisis, Healthcare

The Elusive “Covid Party” Myth

– October 2, 2020

“The stories go ‘viral for the same reason that all social distancing-shaming content does: it gives people cooped up in their homes a reason to pat themselves on the back and congratulate themselves for their own sacrifices.'” ~ Michael Fumento

Authoritarianism, Crisis, Government

The Compulsory Masking of New York City

– October 2, 2020

“If these officials had our best interests in mind, instead of treating us like children or animals upon whom arbitrary punishment is inflicted in order to obtain obedience, they would contemplate the real problem and narrowly tailor solutions, taking into consideration the impact of any new policies on the population at large. That includes the economic and psychological consequences of lockdowns, mask mandates, and enforced social distancing. Positive PCR tests are not the only thing in the world that matters.” ~ Jenin Younes

Authoritarianism, Crisis, Government

Will the Pandemic Panic Card Win in 2020?

– October 1, 2020

“Biden is effectively promising to rescue people who ‘want to be safe.’ But there is nothing in either his record or the records of federal agencies or governors to indicate that people would be better off closeted until notified it is safe to come out. In the long run, people have more to fear from politicians than from viruses.” ~ James Bovard

Crisis, Economic Education, Monetary Policy

What Should the Fed Do Now?

– October 1, 2020

“As cities and states ease their lockdowns and restrictions, the Fed should continue to support the recovery with accommodative monetary policy. As Powell described, ‘A full economic recovery is unlikely until people are confident that it is safe to reengage in a broad range of activities.'” ~ Thomas L. Hogan

Crisis, Government, Policy

The Case for Lockdown Reparations

– October 1, 2020

“Although it is unclear whether existing law guarantees a pathway to lockdown reparations, the principles enshrined in the 5th Amendment as well as basic economics provide an attractive case to implement reparations. Not only would it be the moral thing to do but lockdown reparations may also lead to a productive policy framework that protects individual liberty and enables more informed decision-making.” ~ Ethan Yang

Crisis, Economic Education, Free Markets

The Swedish Bumblebee

– September 30, 2020

“On economic well-being, it’s clear that a country with an invasively large government sector and extraordinarily high taxes can still perform well. In the corona debates, the simplified story that lockdowns prevent spread and open societies kill people should be relegated to the dustbin of impressive theories at odds with reality.” ~ Joakim Book

Crisis, Economic Education, Policy

An Inalienable Human Right to Commerce

– September 29, 2020

“Tyrannical COVID-19 policies make clear: a formal, inalienable Human Right to Commerce is long overdue” ~ Peter C. Earle

Authoritarianism, Crisis, Government

Fahrenheit 451 Predicted People Would Demand Tyranny

– September 29, 2020

“Today, how many say nothing to their neighbors and colleagues about Covid-19 policies for fear of being accused of not valuing human lives? In Fahrenheit 451, silence helped pave the way for the public’s embrace of tyranny. In 2020, Fahrenheit 451 is far more than a chilling, cautionary tale. To reverse the spiral of silence we must make space for candid conversations by thoughtfully considering alternative viewpoints.” ~ Barry Brownstein

Authoritarianism, Books, Crisis

Disease Panic vs. Medical Reality

– September 28, 2020

“I urge the reader to approach Corona with an open mind, and when in doubt, to check the citations. Because, at the risk of sounding dramatic, our civilization depends on it. If we, as a species, can be so easily manipulated into ceding our liberty, dignity, and very lives to irrational fear, I shudder to see what the future holds.” ~ Jenin Younes