Cliff’s Take: Americans Welcome Federal Support

Yesterday in DC, it was a beautiful high 70s day. The bars and restaurants were hopping.  People were out and about.  This is the spring thaw— a COVID détente.  We all feel and see it.

Think of it.  This time last year—or what feels like a lifetime ago—many of us went into quarantine.  But today, there is a materially different feel in the air.   

Adding to the general euphoria in DC yesterday, President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill. It’s a staggering moment. America has typically shied away from massive federal interventions, but, in a pandemic, our national emphasis on rugged individualism looks a little less appealing.

In other transformative news, Biden called on states to make Americans ages 18 and over eligible for the vaccine as of May 1. He also announced new federal support for schools to accelerate reopening. All this points to better days ahead.

1. Small government nation? Our national mythos imagines America as a country of spirited individuals who shudder at the thought of the nanny state. But our rugged individualism has met its match in the virus.  As Hobbes understood, we look to the state for our stability and security in the worst of times.  Look at the data!  Is this temporary or something longer-term?  We shall see.   

    

2. Trending up. This was a topsy-turvy year. Consumer confidence crashed; unemployment skyrocketed. But America is back, buoyed by rebounding confidence. The $1.9 trillion aid package should only reinforce our bullishness. 

    

3. Vaccine surge. Vaccinations are picking up speed in a big way. Think of vaccine inoculation as an indicator of optimism. Such is our COVID world. 

    

4. In healthcare workers we trust. Undoubtedly, the virus has coronated health professionals as most favored. This was evident earlier on in the pandemic. As trust in entities like the CDC and federal government wavered, individuals donning smocks and Crocs captured the American imagination. That’s pretty clear from the data. 

    

5. Biden’s bipartisan-ism. America strongly supports the COVID relief plan—all $1.9 trillion of it.  Most impressive: Americans of the red and blue varieties agree.  Democrats more so; Republicans less so.  A new political renaissance? Probably not. 

    

So, are we still a center-right country?  Or are we now center-left?  Not sure.  But time will tell.  For now, let’s enjoy the spring.

And as always, be safe; be sane.

For more information, please contact:

Clifford Young
President, U.S.
Public Affairs
+1 202 420-2016
[email protected]

For more information on COVID-19 please click here

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