How would a Libertarian administration handle COVID-19? Without hysteria and, without being lackadaisical.
Imagine an alternate universe where Libertarians run the show. They would strive for solutions that respect individual freedoms and dignity, would find ways to keep the economy going while protecting the most vulnerable and aiding those who need it.
A Libertarian administration would be more than willing to work with public and private researchers to study the virus, how it spreads, and treatments. They would coordinate resources and use their platforms to spread the findings and recommend best practices of the researchers. They would not use government authority to enforce draconian measures at any level.
Fear of Losing Your Rights
Lockdowns and mandates are the antithesis of liberty. People have a genuine fear of losing their rights and of the intrusive government powers remaining long after the crisis. In addition, these measures have staggering negative impacts. Increases in domestic violence, substance abuse, child abuse and mental health issues are all closely linked with lockdowns nationwide. (See 4 Life-Threatening Unintended Consequences of the Lockdowns, Domestic violence statistics are surging during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, June 24–30, 2020). There is already evidence that Individuals Physically Distanced Before State Mandates, Slowing COVID-19 Spread. It is reasonable to consider that trend would have continued sans mandates and with encouragement.
That does not mean social distancing is wrong or that people should not be cautious and isolate when exposed. There are simply better ways.
The federal government could provide information for the states to do as they see fit. Harsh measures would be avoided as much as possible; instead, the focus would be on proper education and encouraging people to communicate with their doctors for information and advice. Emphasizing an individual’s right to assess risks and their personal responsibility to not purposely spread the virus, would be the strongest message coming out of the White House.
Economic Response
A Libertarian administration would have made reducing debt, deficit and spending a high priority, and this approach would allow them to provide support when a crisis strikes. Libertarians have a natural distrust of “stimulus” packages; especially when they have little oversight, and the country is already dangerously overleveraged. Instead, creative approaches are preferred.
With creative solutions, the government is freer to assist those who truly need help. A much smaller stimulus would be to cover a portion, or all, of the cost of two weeks of sick leave for employees that test positive, so stores do not have to, therefore remaining open and allowing people to keep their jobs.
How about tax incentives or reduced fees for small businesses who are willing to expand their business hours to have less people inside at a time?
What about encouraging donations and emphasizing volunteering, asking people to help their neighbors instead of being afraid of them?
Incentivizing communities to come up with creative ways to keep businesses open that wish to stay open would be a much better and proactive way for the government to assist people. By avoiding lockdowns, much of the economic crisis and subsequent domestic violence, substance abuse and mental health issues/suicides could have been greatly minimized.
Hindsight is 2020
Libertarians naturally bristle at mandates or government-forced behaviors. Any time people are forced to behave in a way they disagree with, the government’s intrusive power grows, and it becomes permanent.
A much better approach involves education, open discussion, transparency and deferring to local powers over a one-size-fits-all solution. If businesses were free to make the decisions that best balance health concerns with financial ones, with support if needed, the economy would remain more stable and many more people would still be employed.
If citizens were encouraged to continue living their lives but with an increased awareness of how their actions affect others, and a respectful request that they abide by researchers’ recommendations until the virus is better understood, one can easily picture a much better situation than we are in.
Ultimately, Libertarians would treat Americans like the free beings they are. They would ask them to rise to the challenge of this virus, instead of forcing them to conform to inconsistent, draconian rules. It is possible to balance freedom and safety in such times, but it requires innovation, a unique perspective, and a willingness to consider that all sides have a point.
