Finally, the reaction of the general public to the ongoing pandemic and the continued economic crisis will ultimately determine the speed with which things change for better or worse. All of the government stimulus, corporate planning and clever marketing in the world can be overwhelmed by a groundswell in consumer sentiment, positive or negative. That groundswell can be shockingly and frustratingly impervious to efforts to alter it by leaders in government and business if it takes on a life of its own. The recent outpouring of racial tension and calls for reform is a perfect example. In regard to the pandemic and the economy, the right or wrong flash point at the right or wrong time could spur what is effectively a public chain reaction that cannot be easily controlled. In order to monitor actual conditions locally and nationally, areas to watch include:
Whether or not an additional stimulus package is passed by Congress and signed by the President prior to the end of September and the magnitude and characteristics of the package The outcome of the national and of state elections in terms of divided government, removal or reelection of incumbents and whatever “mandate” is widely considered to have been given to those elected Momentum during the lame-duck period for the current elected officials to lock in or out changes by their replacements if the new government will have significant changes in power sharing Customer traffic and spending trends four to eight weeks after the resumption of limited or full-scale business The status of international trade agreements and temporary pandemic-related restrictions Discipline amongst oil producing nations in controlling output to support costs The degree to which the financial community responds to increased risk and decreased debt repayment issues by tightening qualifications for lending The speed and proportion of rehiring by employers as business restrictions are eased The degree to which lawsuits over infections, employee safety and insurance distribution spread and become publicized or are preempted Back-to-school, Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales figures The speed with which hazard-pay increases for essential workers are rolled back and the amount of employee, public and governmental resistance to the rollbacks Unemployment rates, major employer closures and local government budget cuts in your immediate area Vacation travel and lodging industry performance nationally and in your area from July through October
∴ MONITORING FUTURE HEALTH
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