There's a big problem with the statement and that is 'free stuff' vs. 'actual productivity' - it kind of implies a misunderstanding that I think is at the root of so many instinctive reactions to calamity.

First, socialization and central planning at that scale is essentially communism, so start with that.

Second, if almost nobody is working, then 'stuff' doesn't get made, and you can't feed or house many people for long. We know from history, that even if people could work, the government isn't really good at organizing a lot of that kind of activity.

If we want 'food' for people there is no way around the fact we must have people doing all the various bits of work that get food to our plates: farms, delivery, processing, grocery, transport. And that system depends on everything else.

Of course, we need more than food - housing etc. depends on so much as well.

So the answer cannot be 'print money' because that literally doesn't do anything.

The answer has to be something along the lines of: 'how do we get back to work safely'?

There might be some long term opportunities with housing and healthcare, but there are already so many things screwed up there, that basic regulatory changes could yield massive opportunities long before even the argument for socialization begins. Outrageous hospital billing, odd zoning, bad labour laws etc.. So much low-hanging fruit.