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COVID-19: Potential Economic Effects



March 11, 2020
This Insight discusses the potential economic effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the U.S.
economy. For background on the coronavirus, see CRS In Focus IF 11421, CO VID-19: Global
Implications and Responses, by Sara M. Tharakan et al.


Channels Through Which the Virus Could Affect the

Economy

Although the COVID-1 9 outbreak presently is most widespread abroad, it will directly affect foreign
demand for U.S. exports of goods and services. As discussed in this CRS In Focus, the coronavirus could
also disrupt U.S. companies' international supply chains. If COVID-19 becomes widespread in the United
States, it could directly reduce domestic economic activity by reducing both supply and demand. On the
supply side, hours worked would be reduced by illnesses and fatalities and any work stoppages to prevent
the virus from spreading. On the demand side, spending could be reduced by quarantines and other
attempts to avoid crowds, such as public event cancellations. In addition, fear and uncertainty could
reduce business and consumer confidence, leading to a reduction in spending. A reduction in investor
confidence could also tighten financial conditions. For example, the sharp decline in the stock market
since late February 2020 was widely perceived to be in response to worsening news about the virus. In
general, these macroeconomic effects would be expected to eventually reverse once conditions return to
normal, except to the extent COVID-19 causes worker fatalities.


Unknowns in Evaluating the Economic Impact

How large could the economic effects of the coronavirus ultimately be? At this stage, uncertainty is so
great that a very wide range of economic outcomes-from little effect on the U.S. economy to a severe
downturn-is plausible. The unknowns include the following questions:
    * How many people will become infected over the course of the outbreak in the United
       States and abroad?
    * How long will the outbreak last?


                                                             Congressional Research Service
                                                               https://crsreports.congress.gov
                                                                                  IN11235

CFS NStGHT
Prepai-ed for Mernbei-s and
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