US Food Stamp Boost

The Covid pandemic has caused untold human suffering across the world. 

Of course, its impact is not shared equally. For the poor and downtrodden, job and income losses and financial hardships become even more acute. 

Hence, in Malaysia, we see the proliferation of food banks everywhere as well as the hoisting of white flags seeking immediate and urgent help. 

The US which is the world's largest economy, is no different. 

And Joe Biden’s administration announced on Monday that they have approved the largest permanent increase to food "stamps" or coupons – officially the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP and formerly known as the Food Stamp Program – benefits which are targeted to help low-income families. 

The benefits-boost is part of the government's effort to strengthen national social safety nets, where inadequacies were laid bare during the pandemic. 

Some 42 million people in the US – about one in eight – currently receive SNAP benefits. FYI, the average monthly per-person benefits for qualified recipients will rise by $36, from $121 to $157, according to government figures. 

SNAP already enjoyed a 15 percent boost last year to protect Americans from the economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic. But that benefit expires in September. 

Starting in October, average benefits for food stamps will increase more than 25 percent above pre-pandemic levels. 

Irrespective of the initiative put in place, whether by government and/or community, the idea is to help ensure families will not need to go to bed hungry!

The aftermath of Malaysia’s Muhyiddin Yassin’s much-awaited downfall suggests a strong possibility of a new government that is non-PN to take over. Even if it is only short-term.

And which means that we can look at a different approach in order to come to grips with Covid-19.

WHO science council member and infectious disease expert Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman (right) said: “We cannot rely on the scale-up of the vaccine program alone, impressive as it is”. 

She added: “We will see thousands more infections and many more deaths if we don’t sort out our test, trace, isolate and support system now”.

I agree! It’s still not too late for the country to change course in managing the Covid-19 pandemic. Infection numbers are staying high and the priority must be to bring them down.  

But I guess we’ll have to wait until we know who’s the incoming prime minister. A nail-biting week or two.