Economics

Three Areas Economists Are Watching to Gauge Recovery’s Strength

  • Depth of downturn is uncertain and secondary to health aims
  • Rapid aid, help for states and confidence are key to rebound

A shopper wearing a protective mask walks past American flags at half-mast in a grocery store parking lot in Englewood, New Jersey, on April 10.

Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg
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When it comes to predicting or limiting the near-term wreckage that COVID-19 will visit upon the U.S., economists and policy makers can do little to help.

What happens after the virus passes is a different story. The strength or weakness of the country’s rebound, whenever that comes, will be heavily influenced by actions taken today and over the coming months.