Countries around the world have had considerably fewer deaths compared to the U.S., and their people have received considerably more money and assistance. That this nation’s response has been a failure is an understatement, but it shows us something important.
There have been increased instances of people stealing baby supplies and food. Unemployment, housing issues, and poverty are rising – and so is shoplifting. Research shows that Black people are twice as likely to be food insecure. Policing is a part of the problem here.
One of the primary reasons people are calling for the defunding of the police is because it takes away tons of money that could be used to feed people instead of arresting them for stealing. Why pay to imprison people for acting out of need? It exposes the system itself.
If there was a national priority around combatting the desperation that comes from poverty and instability, there would be massive amounts of assistance. Food banks already saw increases in demand in 2019, so imagine how bad 2020's spike was. There’s a clear answer.
It’s time for this country to prioritize people, instead of overtaxing poor people, letting corporations off the hook, and letting police suck up resources. This shouldn’t be happening in the wealthiest nation in the world, but the fact it is tells us what must change.