We can all agree that we want to be safe. We can also agree that the economic impact of a total shut down has the potential to be almost as severe as the virus itself.
No one is to blame for where we are now. All governments are currently following a predetermined protocol for such an emergency. One of those contingency plans that when it was written, it was hoped that it would never actually be used.
COULD THE MILLENNIAL GENERATION BE THE SOLUTION?
It appears to me, that we now have data on this particular virus. This might be a solution on how to save lives and not totally crush the economy. The solution could be in the millennial and gen Z population. The statistics are proving out that they are at a very low risk of death in the event that they contract the virus. The real danger is if this "young and healthy" generation comes in contact with the population that is at risk, older and less healthy.
SO WHAT WOULD OPENING UP FOR BUSINESS LOOK LIKE?
So let's say we open up for business, all establishments, and only put this "young and healthy" population to work. There will need to be a strong commitment to staying away from their parent and grandparents. The virus would work its way through the "young and healthy" population and a resistance would be built up.
Most parents would be glad to kick their millennial and gen z kids out of the house!
The "at risk" population would sit on the sidelines a little longer and watch economic momentum start to rebuild. This would buy us all time to continue to work on vaccine or some other solution. The financial resources of the government could then be used to focus on a smaller community of needy. They won't have to step in and prop up businesses. They won't have to pay unemployment for a group of people who have very minimal risk of a fatal outcome.
According to the 2010 Census Data, 16% of the US Population is 62 years old or older. 26% is between 45 and 64. My guess is that a large portion of the "at risk" population is already being supported and supplemented by the US and State Governments. This scenario would further save government money as it is already being spent.
EVERY GENERATION HAS ITS MOMENT
One of the knocks against the millennial generation is that they expect it all immediately. They don't have patience and do not want to wait.
In this scenario, this would be the time and the opportunity they have been waiting for. An opportunity to lead, not just in the workplace but in their communities, in their country. I believe they are ready.
It would be their time to lead the charge, turn the economic machine back on and keep the "at risk" population safe.
