SE Texas Times

A recent comment by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on the coronavirus crisis has sparked a viral response, with some – including the chair of the Jefferson County Republican Party – saying his vision to preserve our nation's long-term prosperity is the right approach and others saying the economy is less important than life.

Patrick told Fox News March 30 that it would soon be time for Americans to get back to work and that the elderly population – which he is a part of – can take care of themselves. Within the argument, he went as far to say that “grandparents are willing to sacrifice themselves” to protect the economy of their grandchildren.

Critics argued that the earliest data on coronavirus fatality rates show seniors 80 years old and up having the highest recorded overall fatality rate of 14.8%, and that researchers still do not have all the data necessary to determine how deadly the virus is. However, the effect it is having on the economy has been immediately apparent.

Jefferson County Republican Chair Judy Nichols commented on Patrick’s statement.

“What Dan Patrick said was that of a true Texan,” Nichols said. “As a person who is in Patrick’s age group, I can agree with what Patrick said. It is not fair to put my life, that is nearly over, ahead of our children’s and grandchildren’s economic futures.”

She said she doesn’t not see any other person of her age group being OK  with allowing the economic to crash in an attempt to keep the elderly safe from COVID-19.

“No grandparent I know would be OK with sacrificing the future of the grandchildren for the sake of their own survival. That isn’t right.”

As of April 12, Texas reported 13,484 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 271 deaths. Jefferson County has 100 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

While many people may not agree with Patrick’s viewpoint, there is evidence supporting what he says, and the impact of the nationwide economic shutdown is apparent. America has reached unemployment numbers that are inching upwards toward Great Depression era numbers, currently teetering over 17 million unemployed.

Aside from that, those 40 and under are the demographics experiencing the fewest fatalities. Some have argued there is no reason for businesses to be shutdown when the primary workforce is spared from the most devastating complications from the virus.

In the earliest stages of the economic shutdown in the United States, economists have already projected the following:

***A projected quarterly gross domestic product (GDP) decline of 13%

***Factory production is expected to decline further

***Retail sales are projected to drop

***Home sales are projected to drop

***State, county and municipal budgets are likely to have to be drastically reduced due to the drop in sales tax and related revenues