Several government policies have been proposed to attempt to mitigate the economic effects of COVID-19. Some are using traditional monetary and fiscal policies (such as cutting interest rates, quantitative easing and bailouts). Others are trying out non-traditional methods (such as direct cash transfers, loans to businesses conditional on maintaining employment and wage subsidies).

The Australian Government has implemented several economic measures in response to COVID-19. These include providing two separate $750 payments to social security, veteran and other income support recipients to support households. They are also expanding eligibility to income support payments and establishing a new, time-limited Coronavirus supplement to be paid at a rate of $550 per fortnight to eligible recipients.

Question: Using a deontological ethical framework, construct an argument either in favour of the payments to support households and income during the COVID-19 crisis or against them.