Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! (topical thread)

[Alan V]

Our government is broken, possibly beyond repair, it seems, if we cannot even get to an agreement at this moment of crisis.

Because people are more vulnerable during a crisis, the incentives work both for and against getting things done.  People are more likely to make concessions during a crisis, therefore people are more likely to demand concessions during a crisis.  It's the logic of a hostage negotiation.  If people are divided and uncooperative before a crisis, there's a high probability that things will only get worse.

This is actually pretty quick for Congress:

Politico

Congressional negotiators signaled Tuesday they are likely hours away from clinching a bipartisan agreement on a nearly $2 trillion emergency stimulus package — capping five days of frenetic talks over a response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are expected to announce an agreement later Tuesday, under immense pressure from President Donald Trump, a dire economic outlook and the growing number of Americans losing their livelihoods amid the crisis.