Not ONE person has said, before I asked the question, how to take care of people's financial needs. AFTER I asked the question, some have mentioned what has been done or ideas. I guess since I can't read minds, I don't believe anyone. OK.
As far as MY idea? It sounds like some entities have already implemented it... don't allow foreclosures/evictions until this "normalizes" or loans are put into place. Then either one of two things needs to happen... businesses need to get bail out money in order to pay their employees, even if they're not working. OR the money goes directly to the people. So, that takes care of housing and utilities. And I don't think the money given should be a loan. Or, if it is, it needs to be at 0% and like five years.
How do you handle food/medicine? Give that away for free?
My bottom line is there are no easy answers. Sure, lock everyone in their homes for two weeks. I assume that doesn't include doctors and nurses & first responders. It wouldn't in my book. And presumably it wouldn't include those in supermarkets and pharmacies. Do gas stations stay open so those who need to get to work can? What about media? Some of it can be done from home, not all. Who else am I missing?
I did like the PP (might have been
@Christine) answer who said cutting back on who needs to be onsite could be a big help. Not every industry/job can do that though.