22/1/2021 Morning after in America - The outlook for America looks grim, but that could quickly change

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Morning after in America

The outlook for America looks grim, but that could quickly change

What to expect from a Biden presidency

Leaders Jan 23rd 2021 edition

Jan 23rd 2021

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22/1/2021 Morning after in America - The outlook for America looks grim, but that could quickly change | Leaders | The Economist

J
oe biden has been dreaming of moving into the White House since at least 1987, when he rst ran for
president. How those dreams must have di ered from the reality this week. The o cial toll of
American deaths from covid-19 has passed 400,000. By the end of his rst 100 days it may have passed

500,000. Millions of Americans have lost their jobs. Instead of observing the triumph of democracy in
eastern Europe from the Oval O ce, as the victor of the election in 1988 did, Mr Biden must contend with
democratic decay at home. It is not an auspicious start. Yet, unlikely as it sounds, in the next few months
the view from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue could improve dramatically.

Mending America starts with getting the virus under control. Vaccinating the population will be a
formidable operation that will test the ability of federal, state and local bureaucracies to co-operate. A
slick campaign of the type the federal government masterminded to eradicate polio would save many
lives. Yet even an imperfect vaccination programme will make a huge di erence by the time spring turns
into summer. Warmer weather, and hence longer spent outdoors, will help too. Covid-19 spreads
exponentially. But once the number of people each person infects falls below one, it also dissipates
exponentially.

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22/1/2021 Morning after in America - The outlook for America looks grim, but that could quickly change | Leaders | The Economist

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