Coronavirus won’t destroy USA, but flattening economy will, says former Amazon exec

Is it worth flattening the economy in order to flatten the coronavirus? Not according to Brittain Ladd, a former Amazon exec and supply chain consultant.

“More people are now unemployed in the US than at any other time in history. Economists are using the same term to describe what’s taking place in America - the economy is in free fall,” he said in a LinkedIn post.

“At a high level, the US is the world’s leading superpower and generates the worlds largest economy - $22 trillion. Instead of protecting America’s position in the world and the economy, the President and Congress chose to flatten the coronavirus curve with no obvious understanding as to the carnage it would cause,” he added.

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Ladd went on to say that a leading economist had told him, “history will record that Congress and the President made a grave error in flattening the economy to protect 16% of the population most at risk from the coronavirus.”

“I have argued from the beginning that Sweden’s model (quarantine the most vulnerable; use intelligent social distancing; and keep the economy operating) makes the most sense,” he continued

“Is America headed for a depression? It appears so. What should happen now? Get America back to work. Fast. The coronavirus won’t destroy America, but flattening the economy will.”

Beg to differ

Ladd’s comments were challenged by several fellow LinkedIn users. “As painful as the current state is, the administration made the only decision it could - given the rock and hard place it faced. I encourage you to watch the movie Contagion and get a glimpse of what things might have looked like if we didn't shut down the economy,” said one.

“Your leading economist wouldn't want to live through a breakdown in civil order and weaponised panic the likes we can't even imagine. 16% at risk population of the US? 50+ million people? Is he mad or just stupid?”

“The problem with the Sweden model is that people here in the US do not listen or take the same civic responsibility,” another commented.