Some say there is a trade-off: save lives or save jobs – this is a false dilemma

Some say there is a trade-off: save lives or save jobs – this is a false dilemma (Heads of the IMF & WHO, Telegraph, 3 April 2020)

Commentary by the IMF Managing Director and the WHO Director General about the false dichotomy of save lives or save livelihoods. The argue that getting the virus under control is a prerequisite to saving livelihoods. Their joint appeal to policymakers, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, is to recognize that “protecting public health and putting people back to work go hand-in-hand.” In addition to the WHO, which is actively providing technical assistance to its Member States, at least 85 countries have requested emergency financing from the IMF. As financing reaches the countries in need, the authors furthermore extend a joint plea “to place health expenditures at the top of the priority list,” including paying salaries to healthcare workers, supporting hospitals, establishing field clinics, investing in medical and protective equipment, as well as carrying out public awareness campaigns such as hand washing.”