Monitoring the Markets & the COVID-19 Virus

What started as a small outbreak of a flu-like virus in China has rapidly spread infections, fear, and uncertainty throughout the globe. Although we have not officially reached “pandemic” levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, the virus appears to be systematically making its way westward out of China. Immediate responses from governments, businesses, and individuals have led to border closings, supply chain disruptions, and canceled travel plans. It is impossible to predict the ultimate impact of the virus on the global economy, but as the past week and a half has shown, a growing fear has been infecting investors even faster than the virus itself.