The debate over reopening the economy is almost inextricably connected to partisanship. Since the inception of shutdowns, Republicans and Democrats have sparred with one another over the merits and pitfalls of shielding the economy from turmoil.
Republicans overwhelmingly favor safely and strategically reopening the economy; conservatives have furthermore drawn attention to the mental health issues, rise in unemployment claims, and other problems stemming from lockdowns.
Democrats collectively see the matter of shutdowns very differently. Folks on the left maintain that shutting down the economy will save lives and ultimately prove worth it, despite the damage that happens along the way.
However, in one of the biggest plot twists of 2021, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, is now against keeping his state’s economy on lockdown.
The New York governor on reopening the economy
On late Monday morning, Governor Cuomo tweeted out the need to reopen the Empire State’s economy. Cuomo, who has come under fire for his management of COVID-19, declared that keeping the economy closed until the coronavirus vaccine reaches “critical mass” is too costly.
