A depression’s ahead

Worldometer is an organization that compiles and reports data. Its compilation of covid-19 data is currently used by several countries and organizations around the world, including the U.K., Johns Hopkins, The New York Times, BBC, and Financial Times.

According to its data, covid-19, as of April 14, had resulted in 36 states that have had fewer than 50 deaths per one million residents. It seems reasonable that these states be encouraged to lift most restrictions and allow their citizens to return to work. Washing hands and other simple precautions can be observed away from home. A serious concern is many people will be afraid to return to work even if encouraged months from now. The economy will be beyond repair if this continues. A global depression is certain at some point; probably sooner than most would think. It is fast becoming a dire situation. When economies across the world collapse, given the unsustainable debt burden those countries carry, a catastrophe of global proportions will ensue.

Americans have accepted slow-growing government control over their lives for decades. Americans should demand their constitutional rights be restored so that we decide how to live. Sadly, I believe they will not. Every state capitol should experience protests for rights restoration. In Arkansas we are lucky. Our state government has been cautiously lenient. In other states the purchase of some ordinary products is forbidden. Police are arresting pastors for holding church services.

I fully expect to be deeply criticized for this opinion, but I believe it important it be said.

MICHAEL SANDERS Little Rock