"it seems reasonable to me to provide some sort of financial help to the airlines alive during this once-in-a-century event"
For how long? It's anyone's guess how long the pandemic will last. If we're lucky, there could be a vaccine ready in 18 months, but maybe we won't be so lucky.
And how much money should the airlines be given, as opposed to, say giving money to people who can't afford to pay their rent or feed themselves or their families?
What do you mean “as opposed to”? The money is made up, created from thin air. The interest rate is negative. The only side effect is inflation. And commodity prices are cratering.
For how long? It's anyone's guess how long the pandemic will last. If we're lucky, there could be a vaccine ready in 18 months, but maybe we won't be so lucky.
And how much money should the airlines be given, as opposed to, say giving money to people who can't afford to pay their rent or feed themselves or their families?