This may be the most important post I have ever written.

[shockey80]

As a nation, we should IMMEDIATELY start preparing for a great depression, just in case.

For most Americans, reality is setting in. We are at the beginning of the pandemic. We are at the beginning of the economic crisis. We will not be able to get back to normal for a very long time unless a miracle occurs. Even some Trump voters are starting to recognize reality. The virus is starting to hit Trump states, Trump counties hard.

There is a chance the virus could go static during the summer months which would be a good thing. However, it will still be here. It will continue to spread and kill people.

In the fall, early winter the virus could intensify. That would be a big problem. That could severely damage our economy further.

Some people here brought up a great point about how we have a better safety net now than we did during the great depression. However, since the great depression our population has almost tripled. There are roughly 320 million people in America. Millions of people could fall through the cracks if we go into a great depression.

We have been playing red zone defense against this virus. A big problem hits us, we react by throwing money at the problem hoping to blunt the damage. We need to go on the offense against this virus.

There is a possibility tens of millions of people could need food if we go into a great depression. We have already seen long lines, thousands of cars lined up to get food. We should start building a larger food bank infrastructure, just in case.

If the virus hits during next winter and the economy tanks, millions of people may need help heating their homes, paying bills, getting food, getting medicine, etc. Would should start preparing now for the worst case scenario.

Unfortunately, we have a major problem that is a road block against us preparing now. We don't have a president and that scares the hell out of me.

For me, this election is a race against time. Will November come in time.

[Ninga]

1. Important to think about. It does no good for us to bury our heads in the sand. We need to

gently discuss this with our peers.

[Wounded Bear]

2. November won't really solve the problem...

Even assuming we win, Trump doesn't leave for another two months.

[shockey80]

4. That is true.

However, Biden winning in November will give us hope, peace of mind knowing the nightmare of Trump will soon be over. Biden would immediately start putting in a plan in place that could start on day one. The nations mental health would instantly improve when Biden wins in November.

When Biden wins in the November, the entire nation will exhale for the first time in years.

[fescuerescue]

3. Too Late

We should have been preparing for 3.5 years ago.

Now we simply must react to it.

[OhNo-Really]

5. I woke up with soup kitchen designs dancing in my head

If FDA can loosen regs to make Docs & nurses less safe then, and loosen malaria drug usage, then surly they can allow an army of moms armed with InstantPots to make batches of soup.

Must churches have kitchens & dining halls

We cannot let ppl go hungry

And states can offer Food Handling licenses for a discount maybe even free

[Laelth]

6. Unemployment is now higher than at any time since the Great Depression.

Supposedly, we’re somewhere between 15-20% at this EARLY STAGE of our looming depression. At the height of the Great Depression unemployment hit 25%.

The President and some governors are calling for businesses to reopen, and the business owners are telling them thanks, but no thanks. There’s no point in reopening a business unless enough customers frequent the business to justify its reopening. Most Americans are sane and don’t want to die, so they’re staying home (without regard to any government mandate).

Oil is effectively free on the market at this point. Petrochemicals are an enormous segment of the American economy, and the petrochemical industry is on the verge of collapse because nobody wants to buy their products (supply has far outstripped demand). The American petrochemical industry may lose 100,000 jobs if something doesn’t change soon.

Las Vegas is effectively dead. Tourism, in general, is nearly dead as are our airlines. Our economy is in seriously bad shape.

Given this state of affairs, a GREAT DEPRESSION seems quite likely to me. What to do to “prepare for it” I have no clue.

-Laelth

[Bayard]

7. I'm wondering how long the $600 wk, added to unemployment checks can last

This country is essentially bankrupt.

[MoonlitKnight]

8. November is probably too late

We are experiencing a complete lack of leadership. The only action is to steal as much money from the Treasury as possible.

Oil is more about MBS and Putin scheming to kill off US oil production. Yes, the lack of current demand has exacerbated the issue, but it was planned and Trump was duped or went along.

Our social safety net has been torn to shreds. Many states have yet to send a penny to millions of unemployed.

We still don’t have an infrastructure bill. It will take years to get rolling at full speed yet it remains on the back burner in favor of burning cash and having it collected by the wealthy.

Our government remains with the mindset that workers will be taken care of by business. And that sacrificing people is the side effect of getting through this. Never mind that many businesses should be allowed to fail because they were already taking that path. The Fed is propping up the stock market and keeping bad businesses alive.

The government should be building and buying stuff. That will best help businesses and keep people employed. Infrastructure, upgrades to government info systems, massive purchases of food and other commodities. We then distribute that food. Heating oil for winter. Boost water conservation, desal, water treatment, etc.

We need more housing. Affordable, lower impact, and well planned housing. There is a good chance that there will be a lot of commercial property that will be empty soon. Convert that to housing. Get broadband everywhere. Get as much of the workforce working from home as possible. Lower cost, lower carbon footprint, less stress on traditional infrastructure.

[shockey80]

9. You understand what I am talking about.

The whole dam world is about to change and it is going to be brutal. We must act before, not after.