Quote:
Originally Posted by Adder
It's not at all clear to me what will happen to aggregate consumption. On the one hand, people are going to stock up and buy quantities and stuff (e.g., masks) they wouldn't otherwise buy. On the other hand, they may eat at home/have food delivered a lot more than going out. What's the relative size of those things?
It may get very hard for movie theaters and yoga studies and other things you can't consume without going out in public, but that's only part of the equation.
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The projection of gains to food delivery services surprises me. People won't go out themselves, but they'll trust that others they do no see making and packing their meals aren't infected?
You'll see an across the board freeze on all expenditures for a bit. Less driving and flying, less use of public transportation, fewer hotel stays, less traffic at bars and restaurants. Haircuts, elective medical appointments and procedures... anything requiring a person to be in close proximity to others. The effect on related businesses (suppliers, vendors, etc.) will be big, and it'll hit quickly.
I think the sooner we start parading the people who have been quarantined and gone thru this sickness (which is allegedly a non-event for almost all people) on TV and having them explain that it's not a big deal, the better. They have to tackle the possible paranoia before the half of this country with shit for brains and no appreciation of science or medicine starts freaking out about this thing.
