Even without the shutdowns when there is a deadly virus there would have a shrinking economy. But doing a shut down will shrink the R naught number in a more massive way than letting the virus continue at a reduce rate of traffic while it literally meat grinders and liquidates human people through the population.

The economy was always going to be fucked. You are merely looking for a sense of control, a sense of emotional affect during this trying time.

What happens now is if our institutions actually act in the way that makes economic sense. Even if we have let’s say 30% GDP decline (which it will not be that bad, I am picking an outlandish number.) We have the national wealth and income to get through this. Even a 30% GDP decline is about 2005 US GDP. People do not starve at that GDP level unless we as a nation choose to let them starve and we call the outcome just and fair.

Just as a reminder Portugal GDP per capita is 37% of the United States GDP per capita. A 30% decline is still twice what Portugal has. And currently on life expectancy and quality of life measures Portugal is meeting the US numbers and is actually ahead in a few choices.

There are economic choices no matter what we do.