Makes zero sense to me that our pandemic response was about "keeping small businesses afloat" rather than keeping transmission low for a few weeks. I guess besides sacrificing grandma to the economy for $2 margaritas at Applebee's we should have evicted millions during winter so that landlords wouldn't be aversely affected by a pandemic. Weird how the eviction moratorium included aid for them as well, but I guess they were the real victims here and should have gotten more.

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2021/01/25/nearly-20percent-of-rent...

That means as an individual you will either pay higher rent or be forced to buy. Many people would rather have the flexibility and no maintenance that renting provides.

It's a good thing that's not what they did, then. Making landlords wait to be paid for a limited time is not the same thing as "stealing," and furthermore there were billions upon billions in subsidies passed around to mitigate the effects of this very reasonable measure.

It's telling that the best we can come up with to criticize the CDC's actions is "won't someone think of the landlords."

It is though. Banks make an entire business about taking your money now and giving it back to you later. They even pay you extra!

How would you feel if your employer decided to only pay you in 3 months' time? What consequences do you think this could have on the average person?

They weren't being paid, that's the whole issue. If they were then an eviction moratorium wouldn't have mattered.

> furthermore there were billions upon billions in subsidies passed around to mitigate the effects of this very reasonable measure

Are government subsidies to corporations something you're supporting here?

> It's telling that the best we can come up with to criticize the CDC's actions is "won't someone think of the landlords."

Property rights are fundamental to a capitalist, free, society. If you want an economic system where property rights are ignored or where the government wholesale manages the economy then just come out and say it.

> Are government subsidies to corporations something you're supporting here?

Actually, in the case I have direct knowledge of, this was direct subsidies to renters (via the Emergency Rental Assistance Program), who then repaid their landlords.

> If you want an economic system where property rights are ignored or where the government wholesale manages the economy then just come out and say it.

I believe we could have an economic system that is so rigid and inflexible that it can't respond sensibly to a crisis and instead forces society into a death spiral to protect capital, but that we're wiser than that.

The back rent owed exceeds the limits of the assistance program, so even if/when they get paid, it'll be far less than what they are owed. And every month that goes by unpaid isn't covered by the program and will never be paid. But they won't make a decision on the applications, and they won't allow eviction. The homeowners are stuck in an unlimited legal limbo, indefinitely.

Yay California.

By whom? My understanding of the situation was that landlords did not get a subsidy to make up for lost rents or being unable to evict non-paying tenants. Back-rent would be nice, but is not likely, especially with up to 12 months worth.

> I believe we could have an economic system that is so rigid and inflexible that it can't respond sensibly to a crisis and instead forces society into a death spiral to protect capital, but that we're wiser than that.

Well if that's the only choice here, then you made a pretty good argument for it.

So basically what I already do every year?

That's not even considering the currency devaluation, which is probably an even bigger contributing factor than landlord uncertainty. But it sure doesn't help.

But also, semi-related: they implemented a policy to prevent people from becoming homeless during a global pandemic and it had a negative impact on the people who have been padding their bank accounts for decades by steadily increasing margins on a basic life necessity. Sorry if I don't feel bad.

This is just plain wrong.

* you are painting every landlord with the same brush

* you beleive the fabric of our society should treat people differently, predicated upon the above point

* you think it is OK to suspend checks on government power, if you happen to dislike a category of people it effects

From your attitude, I would presume you believe renting places to live, to be wrong?

That anyone doing so, must be effectively stealing from people?

You need to get your head on straight. I know lots of landlords which have one house the rent out, or a duplex (where they live in the top).

If you want to be anti-profit about everything, why aren't you railing on about grocery stores? Schools? Clothes manufacturers?

At some point someone while sneeze and everyone will be restricted to their homes. Not every bad decision has a bad intend at the start, but they will happen without any form of opposition.

> At some point someone while sneeze and everyone will be restricted to their homes

What would their motivation be? Why wouldn't there be any opposition? This isn't like spying where you can do it without people knowing. Even if entirely justified (like we saw during covid), people will oppose such measures - what makes you think they wouldn't of they weren't justified?

Ever noticed that most interior ministers are surveillance freaks? Comes with the job as well. An opposition is actually beneficial for them as the consequences of decisions wouldn't rest on their shoulders alone.

So a solution to this dilemma is to limit powers in the first place. Such decisions should ideally go through parliament in democracies. Sure, sometimes acting fast is beneficial, but just as often quick decisions come with costs as well.

My point was the CDC was also forcing people to do things against their will in addition to state and local governments, it just affected fewer people. That force negatively affected many people (mostly landlords and non-US National travelers).

The flip-flop guidance throughout the pandemic was annoying, but completely ignorable.