A National Mask Mandate Could Save The U.S. Economy $1 Trillion, Goldman Sachs Says

So begins this article in Forbes: As mask-wearing becomes a political flashpoint—despite coronavirus cases spiking to record levels across the country—new research from Goldman Sachs suggests a national mask mandate would slow the growth rate of new coronavirus infections and prevent a 5% GDP loss caused by additional lockdown measures. 

Well, that’s interesting, isn’t it?  Certainly makes sense and entire industry sectors are decimated by the ongoing and ever-exacerbating pandemic.

This reminds me of the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.  It’s happening, but mainly because pure market economics is forcing it along.  If the cost of operating coal plants weren’t skyrocketing and, at the same time, the cost of solar and wind plummeting, we’d have a business-as-usual approach to energy that would eventually bake this planet like a chicken.