Managing economy in the time of pandemic?

Making Big Spending

This crisis is like no other crisis.
It has been clear that virus will stay for at least a year or more until a
vaccine is developed. So, we will have to move to recover the economy
from the fallout of the shutdown.
The upcoming budget is supposed to focus on recovery.
For this, large scale spending is required. Mobilization of resources will
appear to be a major challenge.
We may focus on revenue collection, expenditure and fiscal deficit in
the first episode.
As revenue shortfall will spike, what will be alternative sources to
mobilizing resources? How to ensure resources from alternative
sources?
Discussants:

Revitalizing Health care

As the virus will stay for year or more until a vaccine is developed, we
will have to cohabit with it. So, there is no alternative to strengthening
the health sector for keeping people healthy; for gaining capability to
run large number of testings, and treat virus infected patients. What we
observed during the pandemic is unwarranted.
So, big expenditure is needed. The health sector deserves big
budgetary allocation. Should we prepare fast a masterplan to revitalize
the health sector in coming months?
Discussants:

Bolstering the fight against poverty

The pandemic hits employment the hard. Bangladesh’s heavy
dependence on informal jobs – 85% - made the job market vulnerable
and pushes unemployment up. Estimates show over 5 crore have
become jobless due to the lockdown. Private sector companies,
including garments that are relatively structured, are also moving to cut
pays and jobs in the wake of declining revenues. Some estimates show
poverty may rise to 40percent from now 20 %. Expatriate Bangladeshis
who have returned or are in the process to return will create further
pressure in the job markets.
 
Big spending is required for generating jobs to fight poverty.
Discussants:
 
How much can we bank on Banks?
Banking is always a much-talked about issue in Bangladesh because of
scams and NPLs. This time of pandemic banks can be the game
changer; it is in the forefront to help cash-starved borrowers and help
them recover. CAN THE BANKS DO IT?
Discussants:

Giving people relief from tax

Revenue shortfall and managing fiscal deficit: Probably revenue
shortfall will be record this year and trend is expected to continue next
year amid slowing business activities. On the other hand, the
government needs to spend more and more to cushion the fallout of the
pandemic on all businesses. ADB says fiscal deficit could go up to 7.5%
this year, up from 5% Bangladesh has been maintaining for years.
WHAT IS THE WAY OUT?
Discussants:

Middleclass matters:
Middleclass is always a victim in Bangladesh. They help the economy
move on by consumption- from cars to ACs and other durables, even by
borrowing from banks. Many salaried people fall in this group. They face
job and pay cuts, but their expenses for running family did not reduce.
They pay taxes, but do not get any support, like insurance from their
employers and the govt. IS IT CALLED MIDDLECLASS PARADOX?
SHOULD THEY BE BROUGHT UNDER A SOCIAL PROTECTION, may
be insurance?  
Discussants: