Apple and the coronavirus

Hey y’all, it’s Austin. As the coronavirus continues to spread, Apple Inc. on Tuesday became one of the first tech companies to discuss the impact of the outbreak on its bottom line. During an earnings call, the company told analysts sales expectations were uncertain as a result, and Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said Apple would be performing “deep cleaning” frequently on some of its stores on the mainland.

The call was a reminder of the wide-ranging repercussions of the virus, which at last count had sickened more than 6,000 people. Apple has located much of its supply chain in China, and is a bellwether for an industry that heavily relies on Chinese manufacturing. And, of course, it’s not just tech bracing for an impact: Companies from Volkswagen AG to Starbucks Corp. have also had to make major concessions for safety.