[ladyjane]

...the US would suffer badly too...

Absolutely. Even if not one US citizen gets the disease it will have a major impact. Productivity is down, our buyers aren't going over there, and retailers are beginning to worry plenty. Imagine you are a manager at Walmart. What is going to be on your shelves this September? You know that fan belt you need for your Honda or water pump you need for your Toyota? What do you think the backlog is in the supply warehouses?

[TaxRelief]

The world has changed dramatically in the last 10 years. Take freepers for instance, we hug each other, punch each other, pat each other on the back, sweet talk each other and yell at each other all from the comfort (and isolation) of our homes.

There have been some great business articles about all the "virtual" wholesale buying that is taking place, this year. Some pointed out some of the advantages, language translation software, for example. It may take a year to smooth out, but my guess is that a lot of buying trips have been (a) out of habit and (b) out of a desire to see the world.

[Axenolith]

What do you think the backlog is in the supply warehouses?

Very little, due to "just in time" supply chains...