Once the virus is contained, how do we restart the economy?
One proposal is helicopter money - print money and distribute it, so people start spending and get the economy rolling again.
But, this is counteracted by the paradox of thrift, where people will individually consider saving this extra money is a good idea. At the aggregate level this does not increase economic activity in the manner proposed.
Consider Pacman, the pretty ancient arcade game - here's a link to a version you can play in a browser https://www.webretrogames.com/pacman-html5.php . In the game Pacman has the option to swallow a pill that allows him to, for a limited time only, turn on his pursuers and eat them.
Relevance?
Combine helicopter money distribution with a bank account that has a variable negative interest rate on a variable periodicity for different bands.
| Amount | Rate | Periodicity |
| 0 to 1000 | 5% | Annual |
| 1000 to 2000 | -5% | 56 days |
| 2000 to 3000 | -10% | 28 days |
| 3000 to 4000 | -15% | 14 days |
| 4000 to 5000 | -20% | 14 days |
| Above 5000 | -25% | 14 days |
Why? Simple, this nudges any rational recipient of the money to spend it such that they have a balance less than 1000 in their account and therefore earn credit interest. Rather than the punitive negative interest rates for greater balances.
One can consider this a case of "Use it or lose it".
Milton Friedman + Pacman.
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