However, most members of society need to be working and at least marginally productive so they can continue to keep themselves functioning. Better or worse, it is the way we've organized the markets that bring people the essentials. Sentiment on whether it is better or worse seems more muddled given the current turmoil.

It largely depends on where one sets the threshold to define something as functioning. I've noticed at least a couple of different thresholds being argued about in other threads.