In This Edition

Key Takeaways

Reopening wave in Europe and the US continues. Experts say quarantine facilities are more effective than self-isolation. AIG warns that the pandemic may be catastrophic for the insurance industry.

Conditions 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. 

Auto Industry in Focus

There is an acute demand collapse facing the auto industry. With rapid job loss, travel to work is evaporating while workers who can work from home will likely to stay at home to avoid unnecessary risk. Bailing out the auto industry remains a hot button political issue after the  recession of 2008, but governments appear willing to risk backlash if it means saving labor intensive manufacturing. 

Secondary Health Effects of COVID-19

Social distancing measures, disruptions in medical supply chains, and a diversion of government funding and attention all endanger vaccination and disease control efforts. Underfunded areas with high incidence of infectious diseases such as malaria, polio, measles, rubella, and dengue are in the most danger of seeing backsliding disease control. the pandemic will likely lead to a proliferation of other public health crises, such as domestic violence and alcoholism. 

Science Under the Scope: The Challenge of Contact Tracing

Contact-tracing has been one of the largest challenges in the COVID-19 response around the globe. Traditional contact-tracing is extremely labor-intensive and costly, so countries like South Korea have turned to technology for assistance. While such apps have emerged as one of the most promising ways to help life return to a “new normal” in many countries, they are only effective if suspected and confirmed cases are quickly contacted and isolated. 

Country in Focus: Germany 

In explaining Germany’s largely successful containment effort, analysts point to high levels of testing, effective infection tracking, well-developed health system, and a lower average age of patients. Another important variable is a well-respected and trusted leader. Countries who have not even achieved Germany’s level of containment should not assume they can follow the same playbook.