{"id":34280,"date":"2020-03-16T12:03:05","date_gmt":"2020-03-16T16:03:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arffinancial.com\/development\/?p=34280"},"modified":"2021-09-21T10:41:03","modified_gmt":"2021-09-21T14:41:03","slug":"coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arffinancial.com\/development\/coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Coronavirus: What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Coronavirus:Coronavirus: What You Need to Know<\/h2>\n

The coronavirus<\/a>, or COVID-19, has had major effect on over 100 countries so far. Folks can\u2019t turn on the television or go online without continuous coverage of the enormity of this problem. The pandemic is sweeping the United States, and this might just be the tip of the iceberg. There is a lot of fear, uncertainty, and anxiety as it relates to what is evolving into the biggest global outbreak in many of our lifetimes. As we navigate this new world of unstable markets and self-quarantine, we at ARF Financial want to help our small business partners prepare for what\u2019s to come.<\/p>\n

Who it Affects?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Coronavirus knows no age range. As reported in JAMA<\/a>, the median age of those affected is people in their 50s, with slightly more men being infected than women. The New York Times has been conducting extensive reporting<\/a> on the pandemic, noting that COVID-19 has made 166,000 people fall ill globally; 6,302 have died; and the virus has hit at least 133 countries. At writing, 42 people have died in the United States from COVID-19.<\/p>\n

People of all ages can have COVID-19 and never show symptoms, but that doesn\u2019t stop them from spreading it to populations who may become ill. Data from China<\/a> show that 14.8 percent of infected patients aged 80 and older died from the virus. On the other hand, a recent New York Times<\/a> article chronicles the lives of two Chinese doctors treating COVID-19 patients in China. Both women were 29 years old, and one of them eventually passed away due to the virus. While we may not want to hear it, it goes without saying: no one appears to be safe from this unprecedented global health crisis.<\/p>\n

Impact on Entertainment<\/strong><\/p>\n

For the moment, we can\u2019t seek refuge in the entertainment industry\u2014at least not live shows, or anything that involves a gathering of more than 50 people (think music festivals, weddings, parades, concerts, and the like). The CDC is now recommending these types of gatherings be avoided for the next eight weeks.<\/p>\n

Right as March Madness was about to take center court, all NCAA and NBA games<\/a> have been canceled. And what of the Olympic games set to take place in Tokyo this July? Officials insist<\/a> they will go on as planned, however the narrative could change drastically if the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decides against their continuation.<\/p>\n

Coachella<\/a>, the giant music festival that is hosted in California over 10 days, has been postponed until October 2020. South by Southwest is a music, media, and film conference that has been canceled for the year. All Broadway shows in New York City are dark until April 12, and many movie production companies\u2014including Sony, Paramount, Disney, and Universal\u2014have delayed releasing feature films. Check out CBSNews.com<\/a> for more in-depth listings of sporting and entertainment events affected by the pandemic.<\/p>\n

How Consumers are Preparing<\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019re all affected by the coronavirus, whether we fall ill or not. Restrictions on travel, school closings, and businesses temporarily shuttered have all forced us to stay inside, becoming intimately familiar with old home movies and board games. That being said, your business\u2014should you choose to remain open\u2014needs to take the proper precautions to stay safe as well. Check out these 3 tips:<\/p>\n