Should Brazil give a universal basic wage in response to Covid-19?

This economist has criticized the government's proposals to protect the Brazilian economy. He says a universal wage would be a good start

Should Brazil give a universal basic wage in response to Covid-19? — Photo: RaspberryStudio/Shutterstock

By Brenno Grillo

Mar 19, 2020 9:34 2 min read (Updated: Apr 27, 2021 11:22)

In the U.S. the Donald Trump administration has announced measures to relieve the effects of Covid-19 on the economy, such as sending checks to affected citizens, offering a deferral in income tax payments, and the possibility of a USD 1 trillion stimulus package. More to the south of the Americas, Brazil’s Economy Minister Paulo Guedes announced his own BRL 147 billion package to fight the virus’s spread in the country.

Brazil recorded at least four Covid-19 deaths and, according to health departments, almost 500 Covid-19 infections have been confirmed. And things...