The only reason I’m alive today is because a nurse once injected with epinephrine. It isn’t something I recommend people do under most circumstances, but it will in fact save your life if you’re having anaphylactic shock.
The rules are just different in emergency situations. The US did a big stimulus in 2008 and during COVID. Most of Europe did not. The results speak for themselves.
It’s less that state spending creates prosperity (it doesn’t), rather that state austerity in a time of crisis will grind long term growth to a halt.