A version of this story appeared in the July 31 edition of CNN's Coronavirus: Fact vs. Fiction newsletter. Sign up here to receive the need-to-know headlines every weekday.
Data released yesterday showed the US economy slumped by 9.5% in the second quarter compared to the same period last year. That's an annual rate drop of 32.9%, the worst on record. However horrific, the number did not come as a huge surprise after the economy ground to a halt during the spring lockdown, when more than 20 million jobs vanished in April. More than half of adult Americans live in households that have lost income during the pandemic.
Across the ocean, the European Union saw an even bigger decline than the US, slumping a record 14.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Spain, France, Italy and Germany have all experienced historic slumps.
Economists say it will likely take years for the economy to return to pre-pandemic levels. There are some positive signs: China has avoided slumping into a recession, with its economy now growing again after contracting in the first quarter. Across Europe, mobility data, retail sales and manufacturing surveys offer other glimmers of hope.
A second wave of shutdowns remains by far the biggest threat to the economy. And as at least 29 US states roll back their reopening plans because of high infection rates, there are signs already that the resurgence of the economy is teetering. The number of Americans filing first-time unemployment claims rose for the second week in a row.
To prevent a second lockdown, and its dire economic consequences, America needs to get the virus under control. We don't yet know how to beat the virus. But we do know how to limit its spread: Masks and social distancing work.
Unfortunately, the message doesn't seem to be cutting through. A model from the University of Washington now forecasts 230,822 US deaths by November, 11,000 more compared to the same projection last week. The university's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation said the increase is down to more infections, and also the refusal by some to wear masks, practice social distancing and take other steps to limit the transmission of the virus.
YOU ASKED. WE ANSWERED
Q: Q: Is it safe to get a flu shot in the fall?
A: Yes. And please do so, doctors say.
This year, it's "more important than ever to get a flu shot because we will almost certainly face the double whammy of flu season coinciding the same time as surging cases of Covid-19," emergency room physician Dr. Leana Wen said.
That double whammy could be disastrous if it overwhelms the health care system. An estimated 410,000 to 740,000 Americans were hospitalized with the flu this past flu season, from October to April, according to the CDC.
Wen said the flu shot is about 40% to 60% effective. But even if you do get the flu after having been vaccinated, the flu shot "still reduces your chance of having severe effects from the flu."
You also want to avoid having a personal d
