Cotton: ‘It’s Better to Be Accused of Overreacting in Retrospect Than Underreacting’

Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) on Monday called for some very aggressive measures to take on the fallout from the coronavirus threat.

Cotton has called for a national “shutdown” and suggested universal basic income as possible measures to be proactive against the virus’ impact on the public.

During an appearance on Fox News Channel on Monday afternoon, Cotton acknowledged his proposals were “extraordinary,” but added it was better to overreact than to underreact.

“[I]f we take these extraordinary measures, painful though they may be, hardships though they may be, though they may impose, it will arrest the spread of the virus more quickly,” the Arkansas Republican U.S. Senator said. “And that’s ultimately the way we get the economy back on its feet and we get markets back, is to stop the spread of the virus. It’s better to be accused of overreacting in retrospect than underreacting.”

“Look at what’s happened in Italy,” Cotton continued. “Two weeks ago, Italians were sitting in cafes, sipping wine and coffee. Today, elderly Italians are being denied care and administered last rites because their health care system is completely overtaxed. We can avoid that fate here if we act quickly now.”

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