Leaders | Closed by covid-19

Paying to stop the pandemic

The struggle to save lives and the economy is likely to present agonising choices

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PLANET EARTH is shutting down. In the struggle to get a grip on covid-19, one country after another is demanding that its citizens shun society. As that sends economies reeling, desperate governments are trying to tide over companies and consumers by handing out trillions of dollars in aid and loan guarantees. Nobody can be sure how well these rescues will work.

This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline "Closed"

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From the March 21st 2020 edition

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