WOW I applied for the self-employed wage subsidy from the NZ government earlier this afternoon, and got a notification it's been paid just now, literally *hours later*

I'm absolutely amazed by this and so very intensely saddened at how comprehensively the world's biggest economy is failing its people in this regard. Obviously with a smaller population NZ can be a bit more agile, but Jesus Christ America

I'm hearing Canada's equivalent programme is operating in a similarly speedy manner, which brings warm feelings to my dual-citizen heart.

The part of me that grew up in the US is fucking furious though

Hoping to move to NZ? Take a long-term approach: it's currently closed to non-citizens/residents, and will likely remain so awhile. Alternatively, if you're a billionaire, we're not *such* a socialist utopia that we don't just give citizenship to rich folks for no fucking reason.

(Closed due to coronavirus obviously - the government's goal is to eradicate it from the country entirely, hence the borders remaining closed for a while)