Make Me Smart

Even after recent market volatility, supply shock, a surprise rate cut and a brewing oil war, COVID-19 has only just started to batter the American economy. It’s starting to look like the start of a real economic slowdown, even a recession. Does the government have the tools to avoid the worst? That’s something we’re still figuring out. Here to talk us through this and more is the New York Times’ Neil Irwin. Plus, we hear from a “Make Me Smart” listener in Venice, Italy.

As if you needed more evidence that the COVID-19 outbreak has ripple effects through the economy, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a half point this morning. It’s a very unusual move, unseen since 2008. So we’re going to take some time today to talk though what that cut means, what the Fed is saying about coronavirus, the market reaction and whether or not we should even care about stocks when there’s a pandemic brewing.

As if you needed more evidence that the COVID-19 outbreak has ripple effects through the economy, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a half point this morning. It’s a very unusual move, unseen since 2008. So we’re going to take some time today to talk though what that cut means, what the Fed is saying about coronavirus, the market reaction and whether or not we should even care about stocks when there’s a pandemic brewing.

As if you needed more evidence that the COVID-19 outbreak has ripple effects through the economy, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a half point this morning. It’s a very unusual move, unseen since 2008. So we’re going to take some time today to talk though what that cut means, what the Fed is saying about coronavirus, the market reaction and whether or not we should even care about stocks when there’s a pandemic brewing.

… it’s bad. There are now 80,000 cases of COVID-19 worldwide, including new diagnoses in Italy, Iran and South Korea. This news has sent American markets plummeting, and prompted the CDC to warn of an outbreak Tuesday morning, but the World Health Organization isn’t declaring a pandemic yet. Here to talk with us about pandemics past and their economic effects is is Olga Jonas, a senior fellow with the Harvard Global Health Institute.

Subscribe to the “Make Me Smart” newsletter at Marketplace.org/newsletters and tell your Echo device to “make me smart” for daily explainers.

… it’s bad. There are now 80,000 cases of COVID-19 worldwide, including new diagnoses in Italy, Iran and South Korea. This news has sent American markets plummeting, and prompted the CDC to warn of an outbreak Tuesday morning, but the World Health Organization isn’t declaring a pandemic yet. Here to talk with us about pandemics past and their economic effects is is Olga Jonas, a senior fellow with the Harvard Global Health Institute.

Subscribe to the “Make Me Smart” newsletter at Marketplace.org/newsletters and tell your Echo device to “make me smart” for daily explainers.

… it’s bad. There are now 80,000 cases of COVID-19 worldwide, including new diagnoses in Italy, Iran and South Korea. This news has sent American markets plummeting, and prompted the CDC to warn of an outbreak Tuesday morning, but the World Health Organization isn’t declaring a pandemic yet. Here to talk with us about pandemics past and their economic effects is is Olga Jonas, a senior fellow with the Harvard Global Health Institute.

Subscribe to the “Make Me Smart” newsletter at Marketplace.org/newsletters and tell your Echo device to “make me smart” for daily explainers.

At least, according to New York Times reporter Conor Dougherty. We talk with him about the affordable housing crisis, local government and his new book “Golden Gates.” Plus, listeners weigh in on BlackRock and the “Internet der Dinge,” and we celebrate our 150th episode.

At least, according to New York Times reporter Conor Dougherty. We talk with him about the affordable housing crisis, local government and his new book “Golden Gates.” Plus, listeners weigh in on BlackRock and the “Internet der Dinge,” and we celebrate our 150th episode.

At least, according to New York Times reporter Conor Dougherty. We talk with him about the affordable housing crisis, local government and his new book “Golden Gates.” Plus, listeners weigh in on BlackRock and the “Internet der Dinge,” and we celebrate our 150th episode.