Breaking News English

Basic income for poor could slow COVID-19 spread

Basic Income - Level 0

The UN has a plan for COVID-19. It said poor people should get a basic income. The money would let 2.7 billion people in 132 countries stay at home. This would cut the risk of the virus spreading. It would cost $199 billion per month. The world must take special action because we have not had COVID-19 before.

A basic income would go to people and not big businesses. The UN said the money would help people in lockdown and small businesses. It would also slow down COVID-19. Many people do not have insurance or a contract. There are also many low-paid people. The UN said refugees and disabled people also need help.

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3

MORE

11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Basic Income - Level 1

The United Nations has a plan for COVID-19. It said the world's poorest people should get a basic income. This could slow down the number of coronavirus cases. The money would let 2.7 billion people in 132 developing countries stay at home. This would cut the risk of them spreading the virus. This would cost about $199 billion per month. The UN said the world had to take special action because it is in an unprecedented time not experienced before.

The basic income would go to people and not economies or big businesses. The UN said a basic income would give people in lockdown a financial lifeline, put cash back into local economies and help small businesses. It would also slow the spread of COVID-19. There are many people without insurance and many workers with no contract. There are also many low-paid people. The UN said refugees, migrants, and people with disabilities also need help.

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3

MORE

11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Basic Income - Level 2

Slowest

The United Nations has a plan to slow the spread of COVID-19. The UN said the world's poorest people should get a basic income. It said this could slow down the current rise in coronavirus cases. The money would mean about 2.7 billion people could stay at home. This would reduce the risk of them spreading the virus. The UN suggested giving the money to poor people in 132 developing countries. The cost of this would be about $199 billion per month. The UN said: "Unprecedented times call for unprecedented social and economic measures."

The UN said the basic income would mean giving 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 said there are many people without insurance and many workers without contracts. There are also many low-paid people. It also said refugees, migrants, and people with disabilities need help.

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3

MORE

11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Basic Income - Level 3

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.

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3

MORE

25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson