In This Edition

Key Takeaways

G20 nations agree to suspend government debt payments for low-income countries.  The IMF predicts a massive increase in public debt around the world.  Anti-lockdown protests have broken out in five US states. 

Condition Updates

A rundown of important global developments in markets, in business, and region-by-region, as well as statistical risk assessments by country and by US state.

Country in Focus: Nigeria

As Africa’s most populous country, home to the continent’s densest city, Lagos, Nigeria has emerged as a country of serious concern. Nigeria will face the difficulties of a weak healthcare infrastructure, a potential Ebola outbreak, and a fragile economy reeling from oil price shocks. Accessing international capital will also be a challenge; this week, Fitch downgraded the country’s sovereign debt rating further into junk territory.

A Model for Reopening the Economy: Iceland

Iceland has taken exemplary actions toward reopening its economy.  The country has offered free testing for all citizens, developed rigorous contact tracing, and only imposed limited restrictions to begin with. However, important cultural, population, and systematic differences should be considered before determining if the model can be replicated.

Protecting Critical Infrastructure During a Crisis

Critical IT, telecommunications, and operations infrastructure has become even more important and pervasive amid the pandemic. Critical infrastructure should address cyber risk mitigation, resiliency creation, and systems to ensure uninterrupted operations. 

COVID-19 Conspiracy Roundup

The pandemic has given rise to a multitude of conspiracy theories about the origins of, and treatments for, COVID-19.  Understanding and addressing these theories is key to ensuring a long-term effective response to the coronavirus.

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