How the coronavirus response reveals the arbitrary bullshit of so many US policies

Over at Slate, Dan Kois offers an incisive look at the status quo frustrations that have long affected daily American life and how they're now disappearing, because we're in a crisis. To some people, this will of course conform to their aspirational perspective of the country: that the American system has always been great and good, and the fact that people (and corporations) do good deeds in times of crisis is proof that free market capitalism is perfect and thus good.

But what if we always offered paid sick leave to hourly employees? What if the Internet wasn't throttled by providers eager to make another quick buck? What if wenever had to deal with the arbitrary airline limits on liquids, just to reinforce the TSA security theatre performance?

What if kindness and empathy were the rule, and not the exception?

Up until now activists and customers have been meant to believe that the powers that be could never change these policiesit would be too expensive, or too unwieldy, or would simply upset the way things are done. But now, faced suddenly with an environment in which were all supposed to at least appear to be focused on the common good, the rule-makers have decided its OK to suspend them. Its a crisis, after all. Everyones got to do their part.

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But its also worth asking if we are willing to allow governments and corporations to return to business as usual. When everythings back to normal, will we accept cities cutting off their poorest residents water, or evicting the sick, or throwing someone in jail because they cant afford to pay a fine?