The government doesn't remotely have mechanisms in place to directly feed millions of civilians for a long period of time. It would make much more sense to give out money (like EBT cards) that can be redeemed to purchase food through the existing private sector food distribution network of grocery stores and restaurants.
While everything is shut down? Including the food distribution network? What good will money do in that scenario?
Shutting everything down isn't an option. The economy isn't some nice-to-have thing you can turn on and off on a whim. It's an essential part of providing the basic necessities that people need to live—which includes much more than just food.
The government is not going to shut everything down. Obviously grocery stores, pharmacies, hospitals, doctor offices, etc., need to stay open. They've all remained open even in Wuhan and Milan.
No one is saying to shut down everything, because of course you don't want to starve everyone (starvation has a mortality rate much worse than COVID-19).
It's shutting down most things that is being suggested. Healthcare and food stay open.
I OBVIOUSLY refer to non vital things like offices, all public places that aren't pharmacies and grocery stores, and even those should have access strictly regulated like in Italy and probably cut to a minimum public transport and put checkpoints on the major bridges to make sure people move only if strictly necessary. Essentially what's being done in Europe already.
Only a person in bad faith would think something different.
