Occupations come and go. When was the last time you've seen a bumboat trader, a switchboard operator or a bowling alley pinsetter? Other professions that we consider part of every day life will go too. It's prophesied that in a few decades computer software will be so sophisticated that no more bookkeepers are required. Around the same time you will have trouble finding someone who states 'assembly line' as workplace. It's only natural that jobs come and go. In thirty years people will be working in jobs you and I could not have imagined. Do you think your grandparents would have figured that by today millions would find employment as 'Data-analist' or 'App developer'?
With that said: in the past two months (...) 36 million Americans filled out forms in the hope of receiving unemployment benefits. On top of those already enemployed. People have been fired from bars, clubs, restaurants and retail jobs. (Movie)Theatres have been shut and self-employed entertainers (musicians, magicians, ballet dancers, you name it) are out of work. And thus out of income.
Even though the first coronavirus-wave is far from over and a second one could do even more damage because there are signs the virus is evolving, employees are urged to go back to work, placing them for the dilemma: 'Stay home, get fired and die from hunger or go back to work for less than I would get from social security and risk dying from COVID-19?'
The virus is affecting the workforce worldwide and some governments start to realise people who don't have money can't help the economy to stay afloat.
Perhaps it's time to look into an old idea: (Universal) Basic Income. Before you shout: 'But that's a cummunist idea! It's much too expensive!' 'It will make people lazy!', watch this video:
Here's a quote I found on the interwebs:
If quantum physicists are right and this is in fact a simulation, then a basic income makes sense. Even "The Sims" starts every player out with a modest home, simple furniture and a few simoleons in the bank.
Same with monopoly: everyone starts off with $1500 plus $200 whenever you pass go. The game would be a lot less fun if one player started out with negative -$500 and another player started out with a small loan of a million dollars from their father...
UBI is neither 'left' or 'right' but simply realistic.
Tell me: what would you do if you wouldn't have to work for money to survive?
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