The economic crisis caused by the pandemic has led the Government, in line with the expansionary policies of the EU, to mobilize a battery of measures aimed at what the Government, propagandistically, calls "social shield."

The State Administration has had to face an increase in registered unemployment -which in January will surely exceed the barrier of four million unemployed-, to pay the ERTE -instrument in which they are now insc

rites 750,000 t

workers-, at the cost derived by the more than 350,000 self-employed workers with recognized cessation of activity - which will become 700,000 with the income protection schemes that come into force in February-;

and the payment of the Minimum Living Income to the 460,000 beneficiaries of this benefit.

To this must be added the deployment of aid from the regional and local administrations.

All this is the result of the sudden stop in production and consumption as a result of the severe confinement in the spring, a consequence in turn of the late and negligent reaction of the Government with the pandemic, and of the effects that have dragged on since then.

The damage affects the whole of the economic activity, but the service sector is being fed.

Pedro Sánchez affirmed yesterday, despite the onslaught of the third wave, that Spain is advancing "towards recovery."

The economic data, on the other hand, indicate a frightening outlook that can worsen if the contagion curve is not stopped.

The pandemic has doubled the number of Spaniards, reaching six million, who depend on aid, subsidies, subsidies and benefits.

The invoice exceeds 137,000 million euros.

The State has guaranteed loans worth 114,000 million, the default of which will expire in March.

However, it is worth wondering if this injection will prevent the massive bankruptcy of companies as well as the risks of a public debt of 120% of GDP.

It is reasonable and unavoidable for the State to help citizens and companies affected by the pandemic.

In any case, we must warn about the consequences of converting specific aid into structural aid and about the threat posed to the economy and innovation by an uncontrolled increase in subsidized Spain.

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