One thing I don’t think the people emphasizing unemployment insurance and peripherals as a part of aid realize is that, on an emotional and perhaps moral level, a lot of people perceive lockdowns as a sort of “you broke it, you bought it” moment for the government in this crisis.

If people had merely been abandoned in the crisis they would be resentful, but largely willing to accept the need to fend for themselves- such is the American character. It’s being deprived of that independence, then abandoned by those who took responsibility, which enrages.

Direct aid is the only acknowledgement they’ve received about the enormous suffering they’ve had to endure, and the only sense they have that we are in any way “in this together” amidst the endless breaking of laws and regulations and rent-seeking exploitation by the powerful.

Everyone has suffered, and needs that to be acknowledged. Many need help now. None of that is addressed by technocratic tinkering with broken distribution systems which treat the public as entitled peons and potential thieves with much to prove.

Just write the fucking checks.