* The coronavirus pandemic has hit the global economy hard. Indecies of major financial markets have dropped over, on average, 25% from the peak early in the year. In the foreseeable future, unemployment is bound to rise in most, if not all, economies, and people have started to go out less, spend less, and be more cautious with their money. If the pattern persists, a major global economic slowdown appears inevitable.
* Though experts and policymakers differ on how, and when, the pandemic will be contained, it is not too early to start thinking about recovery when the time comes. Most importantly, how would people restore trust in public institutions and how would people regain trust between and amongst themselves? That process will probably take longer than getting the virus under control, and that is the challenge in the post-COVID-19 days.
