PlanCOVID 19 Recovery

COVID-19 Recovery Plan: Where does America Stand?

By Anthony Issa Edited by Brenagh Rapoport

The American election is scheduled for the 3rd of November. The campaign has been divisive, and the Republican and Democratic Parties hold very separate visions of what they want for the United States. One thing that concerns both parties is the COVID-19 recovery plan after the elections. What exactly are the policies that each party is proposing?

Beginning with the Republican Party, their 2020 platform is the same one that they used in the 2016 Election. As such, no COVID-19 recovery plan is mentioned. Instead, we will need to consider statements made by President Trump and by the Republican National Committee.

The Republican pandemic response centres primarily around the economy. Back in May, the current administration signed a US$2 trillion stimulus package aimed at bringing urgent relief to families and businesses. Government checks of $2000 were sent to American families with an annual income under $75,000, as well as a check to households of $500 per child. The federal government sent money directly to state governments and supported unemployment programs. They also put forward loans and tax breaks for businesses facing bankruptcy.

Looking forward, the Republicans have proposed more stimulus packages. They are willing to implement another $1 trillion plan to protect the economy. This would include investing $100 billion in education and more financial aid for citizens. They also would reduce unemployment benefits from $600 to $200 so that states can install a target system that covers 70% of a worker’s wage before they were unemployed.1

As for the presidency, in May of 2020, the Trump-Pence Administration launched Operation Warp Speed, a program aimed at delivering 300 million prescriptions for a COVID-19 vaccine by 2021. The administration has spent about $10 billion on six potential vaccine trials.2 President Trump also used the Defense Production Act to force private companies to create medical equipment such as N95 masks and ventilators.3

Finally, President Trump’s strong attempts on “America First” policies will continue despite the economic hardships of the pandemic.4 This has guided his “Opening Up America Again” approach in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This three-phased economic plan assists state and local officials to reopen their economies, increase employment, and place COVID-19 safety measures without returning to lockdown.5

As for the Democratic Party, their 2020 election platform is available on their website. The party platform contains a detailed list of promises they wish to accomplish if they win the election. The recovery plan is robust, and I will aim to highlight its most important aspects.

1 BBC News, “Republicans Introduce $1tn Pandemic Recovery Plan,” July 27, 2020. 2 HHS Office of the Secretary and Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA), “Fact Sheet: Explaining Operation Warp Speed,” October 14, 2020. 3 BBC News, “Coronavirus: Trump Signs into Law Largest Bailout in US History,” March 30, 2020. 4 BBC News, “Donald Trump Policies: Where Does the President Stand on Key Issues?” September 28, 2020. 5 The White House, “Opening Up America Again,” 2020.

Firstly, the Democrats want to make COVID-19 testing free and accessible for all Americans. They want to increase funding and staffing for contact tracing in both state and local health departments.6

Another key goal is the expansion of the Affordable Care Act. This would increase insurance coverage for Americans during the pandemic. The federal government would cover most medical bill costs, create subsidies to make it easier for Americans to pay for health insurance, and allow a public marketplace option with minimal costs for low-income Americans.7

The Democratic recovery plan also encompasses workers’ rights. They want to improve unemployment insurance for workers by encouraging payroll support and requiring that companies maintain employees’ benefits. Other employment measures include assistance for the public sector such as education workers, in the form of federal aid and employment assistance. The Democrats also pledge that once elected they will immediately enact a universal paid sick leave program.8

As for a Democratic presidency, candidate Joe Biden’s economic recovery plan “Build Back Better” presents additional proposals to tackle the crisis. The Biden-Harris ticket includes a demand to double the number of drive-through testing sites. To replenish PPE stockpile completely and help hard-hit communities, they wish to implement the Defense Production Act.9

The platform also includes the demand that Congress pass another emergency relief package. This package should give schools extra resources to adapt to the pandemic. It should help smaller businesses with the cost of safety measures installations such as plexiglass and PPE. Additionally, Biden is in favour of including $200/month Social Security checks and additional emergency checks for those in need. He also wants to clear at least $10,000 off federal student loans per person.

Biden also promises to invest $25 billion for vaccine manufacturing so that all Americans have access to free COVID-19 vaccinations. Finally, a Biden administration would work to recuperate the US relationship with the World Health Organization, which they consider vital to organizing the global pandemic response.10

In conclusion, the two parties have distinctly different plans for the country’s ongoing COVID-19 pandemic response. From how they present their solutions to how they want to lead the country out of the pandemic, clear contrasts show on both sides. The path of the country’s recovery will be determined by the outcome of this election.

6 Democratic National Committee, “Protecting Americans and Recovering from the COVID-19 Pandemic,” 2020. 7 DNC, “Recovering from the Pandemic.” 8 DNC, “Recovering from the Pandemic.” 9 Joe Biden, “Build Back Better: Joe Biden’s Jobs and Economic Recovery Plan for Working Families,” 2020. 10 Joe Biden, “Build Back Better.”