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Basic income for poor could slow COVID-19 spread

The United Nations has come up with a plan to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said the world's poorest people should get a basic income. It said the introduction of a "Temporary Basic Income" for the world's poorest people could slow the current surge in coronavirus cases. The money would allow around 2.7 billion people to stay at home. This would reduce the chances of them spreading the virus. The UNDP suggested giving the money to poor people in 132 developing countries. The cost of this would be around $199 billion per month. It said: "Unprecedented times call for unprecedented social and economic measures."

The UNDP said the basic income would mean directing money to people instead of economies. It said: "Bailouts and recovery plans cannot only focus on big markets and big business. A Temporary Basic Income would allow governments to give people in lockdown a financial lifeline, inject cash back into local economies to help keep small businesses afloat, and slow the devastating spread of COVID-19." It pointed out that the poor are the hardest hit by the pandemic. There are huge numbers of people without social insurance and many workers without contracts. There are also many low-waged women and young people. It also said refugees, migrants, and people with disabilities need financial help.