Orders for self-quarantining and social distancing have been established across the country as communities battle the COVID-19 coronavirus. We’ve been asked to come together, to make individual sacrifices, all for the greater good of our fellow citizens. The pandemic has highlighted a number of interesting scenarios where individual behavior can benefit or harm broader society. In this show, Powers discusses how issues such as C-Suite executive compensation, body positivity and hospitals’ strategic tactics have had a negative impact on the American populace. She then offers some solutions to address the problems.
Key Citations

* Statement on the purpose of a corporation: Business Roundtable
* Racial disparities of coronavirus infections: The New York Times

Transcript
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Welcome to The Powers Report Podcast. I am your host, Janis Powers. The show brings you candid, unique and data-driven perspectives on the health care industry. I believe that any solution that is going to positively impact the American health care system has to satisfy two major criteria: financial viability and behavioral incentive alignment. In other words, access to high quality care can only be achieved if we can afford it, and if we behave in ways that optimize our health. Please subscribe to our show on iTunes or on your preferred podcasting platform and connect with us on social media. Again, this is Janis Powers, and welcome to The Powers Report Podcast.
I hope, in the shelter-at-home world where many of us live, that you’ve been able to realize the completion of some of your wish-list projects. Like cleaning out the garage. Or organizing your digital photos. Maybe you finally tried that recipe for spinach lasagna. Good for you.
Then there are other activities that, despite the online availability of many products, still require repeat trips to the store. I’m talking about things like scrapbooking or jewelry making or ironing decals onto shirts. Store closings, limited hours and just the pressure of getting in and out of craft destinations like JoAnn Fabrics or Michael’s have put a damper on pursuing these treasured stay-at-home activities.
Well, here in Austin, Texas, where I live, we’re getting a reprieve. As of this week, there’s a mandatory face mask order in place for Travis County. We can’t leave the house without a mask if we think we’re going to get within six feet of anyone. We’ve got to get face masks, and if we can’t buy them, we have to make them. Which means… fabric stores have been deemed essential businesses.
Do I think this new face mask order is ridiculous? Yes, I do. Am I going to abide by it? Yes, I am. What’s ironic is that we’re going to have people flocking to JoAnn’s because now, they can. They’re going to go under the pretense that they’re buying fabric to make face masks when their real goal is to get supplies so they can bedazzle their jeans. These people will enter a closed-in space with a bunch of other people and probably undo any of the good that staying at home was supposed to do in the first place.
As we move towards re-opening the economy – whatever that means – more and more people are getting anxious to both blaze ahead and to stay behind. Where you reside on the spectrum of opening up the economy depends on your:

* Health status and the health status of your loved ones
* Fear about the deadliness of the coronavirus
* Concern about your financial situation
* Concern about the economy
* Trust in the government and leaders to make good choices
* Trust in your fellow citizens to do the right thing