During the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of Americans faced severe financial challenges. In response, the U.S. government issued several rounds of stimulus checks to help people stay afloat. Now, with the rise of a new bird flu epidemic, many wonder if we could see another round of stimulus checks in 2025.
While the bird flu has not yet become a widespread concern, experts say that if the situation worsens, similar to how the COVID-19 pandemic escalated, the government may once again step in with financial aid to help the public.
Why the Bird Flu Could Lead to Another Stimulus Check
The main reason people are thinking about another round of stimulus checks is the potential economic impact of a bird flu epidemic. During the coronavirus pandemic, millions of Americans received direct payments, which amounted to up to $3,200 per person. This support was crucial for many who lost their jobs, faced health risks, or were unable to work due to lockdowns.
Some people used the stimulus money to pay bills, buy groceries, or maintain their homes. Others spent the funds, which helped boost the economy. However, this also led to rising inflation. If bird flu becomes more dangerous and causes a major disruption to daily life, similar to COVID-19, many people might need more financial help.
What We Know About Bird Flu Right Now
At this point, the bird flu, also known as avian influenza, poses a low risk to humans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has added the virus to its watchlist. Though bird flu is highly contagious among animals, fewer than 100 cases of human infections have been reported in the U.S. so far, and most of these cases have been mild or moderate.
The bird flu spreads through contact with infected birds, especially their saliva, mucus, or feces. People who work closely with poultry, such as farmers, are at higher risk of being exposed. While there are concerns, experts say that the current threat level remains low.
Could It Lead to a Pandemic Like COVID-19?
Despite the current low risk, experts are keeping a close eye on the virus. If bird flu mutates into a more contagious form and spreads between humans, similar to COVID-19, it could lead to a major health crisis. Some experts believe that if this happens, we might see widespread lockdowns again, leading to school and business closures, travel restrictions, and the same kind of economic strain we saw in 2020.
For example, Panagis Galiatsatos, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, mentioned that while we are better prepared today compared to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation could still change. He noted that Tamiflu, a medication used to treat flu, seems to be effective against bird flu, and mRNA technology now exists to create vaccines faster. These advancements make it less likely that bird flu could spiral out of control.
However, there are still uncertainties. Daniel Havlichek, a professor at Michigan State University, pointed out that while bird flu has occurred in the past without causing widespread disruption, we cannot be sure it won’t have a different impact this time.
Stimulus Checks: Would They Happen Again?
If the bird flu outbreak grows into a more serious public health emergency, economists believe the government could step in with more stimulus checks to help the public. Alex Beene, a financial expert, says that if the virus causes enough damage to the economy and disrupts daily life, it’s likely that the U.S. government would issue more financial aid.
Even though the risk from bird flu is currently low, the possibility of another pandemic causing widespread job losses and financial strain is something that experts are considering.
Beene notes that during the COVID-19 pandemic, stimulus payments were one of the few government actions that were widely supported. Many Americans depended on this help to stay financially stable, and it’s likely that the government would respond in the same way if another crisis similar to COVID-19 arose. However, Beene also pointed out that it’s unlikely that stimulus checks will be needed for the current strain of bird flu.
Looking Ahead: What Will Happen Next?
The CDC continues to monitor the spread of bird flu, which has now reached all 50 U.S. states. However, the chances of a full-blown epidemic remain low at this time. Experts say that with the availability of Tamiflu and decades of experience with flu vaccines, it’s unlikely that bird flu will evolve into a global pandemic like COVID-19.
Still, the situation is fluid. If the virus changes and poses a greater threat, the U.S. government may once again have to step in with financial support to protect its citizens. In the meantime, health authorities will continue to keep a close watch on the situation.
