Should lockdown be lifted?

Kyler S.

Crime is increasing, companies are closing, the economy is plummeting, thousands who were living day-to-day off their paychecks, are now homeless and protesting. Why not suffer the losses and continue our daily lives? Overpopulation has become a glaring issue, maybe this is nature’s way of telling us we are at our maximum carrying capacity. All we know is that even with the lockdown, there are more new cases than the previous day, and nothing is getting done. It’s apparent that the spread is impossible to overcome, so why not ride the wave and provide the people the desperation of freedom and independence they have been so awaiting. This is why the lockdown should absolutely be lifted.

In the event of a reopening, regulations and laws will still be in place to slow the rate of spread. Things like maintaining a 6 feet distance between people, thoroughly disinfecting public premises, and constantly washing hands, are basic things citizens should be reminded of. Furthermore, no areas with mass gatherings (cinemas, religious places, sporting events, etc.) should open yet. In doing these things we are not only slowing down cases but showing perseverance and strength. 

Reopening society will allow more job opportunities and the global economy to make a comeback. Nikkei, Dow Jones, and the FTSE, the major stock markets of the world have dropped dramatically due to the crisis. More than 30 million people have filed for unemployment, and oil prices dropped to a negative. The US alone has thrown more than 6 trillion USD at Coronavirus economic relief packages. The recession COVID-19 is causing may just be worse than the virus itself. Job re-openings could allow the economy to make a comeback and allow companies to stay in business.

Overpopulation will eventually have some serious effects on our world, it will cause major resource depletion, worsen our environment, cause mass conflict and wars, rises in unemployment, and raise the cost of living. Although it may seem harsh, it may just be the solution to our problem. COVID-19 could temporarily stunt the rapid population growth to increase the potential longevity of the human race.

In conclusion, lifting the lockdown would be a great solution to the current problem. It will help the economy, prevent overpopulation, and most of all, make all of us happy by providing the option of returning to our normal lives.

Alex K.

No, the lockdown should be maintained. Amidst possibly the most infectious and deadliest disease the human race has ever tackled, social distancing is vital in slowing the spread of COVID-19. The virus spreads through the highways of interactions between people, and so by cutting those off, and isolating individuals, the virus has no highway through which to spread. We already have the technology to smoothly transition into digital work/education, which has proved to be essential in quarantine/lockdown.

By lifting lockdown, the virus gains more opportunities to spread throughout communities and gatherings. Even if regulations are set, the risk of the virus spreading rises exponentially. In regards to lockdown making lives boring and monotonous, I’ll let you decide: would you rather have a slightly more boring life or have no life at all? Furthermore, if the cause of boredom is from lack of interaction with friends, just call them! 

Although lockdown has spurred a number of economic crisis situations, it is worth knowing that it is saving lives through containing the virus. By staying home in lockdown, we ensure the health and safety of ourselves and others. I would dare say that if it weren’t for lockdown measures in place, COVID-19 would be as deadly as the Spanish Flu, a virus that infected a third of the world’s population at the time. However, thanks to the evolution of safety measures, COVID-19 although bad, has not reached its devastating potential.

In conclusion, lockdown is saving lives, it’s saving the human race. Without it, the world may be doomed if our constant pursuit of interactions is what kills us blindsided.