I agree with both @SteveSoCal and @KSSPete.
First, I see where this thing is heading: I'm in the middle of the initial major breakout in the United States (Seattle, Washington). The only way to shut this virus off anytime soon is to totally shut down our entire nation for at least two weeks. We cannot cure the virus. Many people who get infected don't get sick - but they sure do spread it. Those that get sick can go from "slightly symptomatic" to "dead" in a matter of days. Our health care system is not prepared to keep up.
However, we have to consider our national economy. I don't say this lightly, so please bear with me. If our economy goes into a deep recession - or a full depression (Steven Mnuchin, in the Trump administration, thinks we could hit 20% unemployment), our infrastructure will be in shambles, folks will lose health care completely, and our government will not have the ability to help those who fall into desperate times. This will kill, too. The Dow closed below 20,000, effectively losing all value gained in the last 3 1/2 years. While only one measure of our economy, it is a very bad sign. If we, as a nation, stop working completely, our economy will suffer more. Mystery shopping is but one small industry with our national economy, but keeping it going is good. There are people on this forum desperate to see it continue. Many MSC's are likely to go under in the next several months - as are clients. Clearly, we want the industry to do everything it can to keep afloat.
Yes, these two interests are diametrically opposed. Our local, state, and national leaders have much more information than we do. They have experts in public health, virology, economics, etc. to guide them. We have little choice but to trust that they are making the best possible decisions for our regions - local and national. As long as our governing bodies think, after balancing the complex array of health and economic factors, that it is in the best interest of us to keep certain business open, I have no problem with them being shopped. I hold nothing against those who choose to do those shops. Nor do I blame anybody who chooses not do to do them. It would be very shameful of any MSC to hold a grunge against a shopper who cancels a shop right now.
I do not envy our elected leaders right now. They have a real problem and no good solutions. None. Were I king, I would likely order the entire nation to shelter in place for two weeks. But, I am not king - I neither wield such power nor have full access to the experts a king would have. If we believe we are being led poorly, we need to 1) write our leaders. 2) Be vocal to our media outlets and, most importantly, 3) vote at every opportunity.
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/18/2020 09:42PM by MFJohnston.