The coronavirus outbreak has affected our lives in one way or another, whether it be missing school, friends, or trips. While we see the effects of it in our everyday lives, what we don’t always see is how it affects the country as a whole. At first we just saw it as a virus that started out in China, but many people are being affected globally. The virus is affecting everyone’s lives and there may not be a way to go back to a “normal” life after this crisis is over.

People all around the U.S are being laid off or their hours may be getting cut. This affects the overall economy of not only the U.S, but the whole world. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), as of April 4th 2020, about 6.6 million people have lost their jobs in the United States. If we can’t figure out a way to calm down coronavirus, the trend of unemployment may lead to an unemployment rate of about 30% by summer. This could lead to a dent in the economy that is irreversible. As the stay home order is extended further and further into the year, more people are cut from their jobs, more people can’t pay their rents, and the unemployment rates are plunging in the United States. Production in the United States has been halted and many are not able to get the basic necessities that they need.

However, there is another side to the story. Joseph Kim, an eighth grader from Lexington JHS, states, “I think the economy can recover because the reason the economy has been bad is because not many people are working, trade is not a big concern, production of goods has halted, etc. All these problems are gone and back to normal when COVID is over.” Some people do believe that the economy could go back to the way it was if we give an effort and try to develop the industries that have shut down after the outbreak. “Yes, I do think that the economy can go back. However, I believe that it has to consist of the people’s help and involvement in developing the economy,” Erin Choi, a sophomore in Orange Lutheran HS.

Although, it is not impossible to rule out the fact that we could be able to bounce back to the way it was before the outbreak, it will be very unlikely to have a fast recovery from the nationwide recession we are going through because of this outbreak. At some point the economy will bounce back, but the “normal” then is never going to be the same as it was before COVID-19.

<Lois Chun Lexington JHS 8th Grade>