The world’s top infectious-disease specialists still aren’t sure how lethal the new coronavirus can be. The World Health Organization estimates that Covid-19 has killed about 3.4% of those diagnosed, a chilling mortality rate that far eclipses seasonal flu’s death toll. That number, however, is based on deaths compared with confirmed cases. But with botched emergency responses and slow testing by the U.S. and other nations, the number of infected may be much higher, and thus the mortality rate much lower. But not even the experts know for certain. There are 101,000 confirmed cases worldwide, and 3,454 have died. —Josh Petri Here are today’s top storiesMany people in the U.S. may be sick but as yet undiagnosed, owing in part to a shortage of test kits following a series of missteps by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With more people working from home to avoid infection, will the internet break? The short answer is probably not. Apple extended its recent sell-off as analysts worry the launch of the highly-anticipated 5G iPhone could be delayed due to the coronavirus. The company, along with Alphabet and Microsoft, has encouraged employees in Silicon Valley to work from home. Jamie Dimon underwent emergency heart surgery, temporarily handing control of JPMorgan to his top lieutenants. OPEC+ talks ended in dramatic failure, after Russia refused to bend to Saudi Arabia’s desire to slash production. Oil prices slumped. Tesla has repeatedly denied that working conditions at its main California assembly plant are unsafe. New documents show the company omitted hundreds of injuries from an annual summary it sends to the government. What’s Luke Kawa thinking about? The Bloomberg cross-asset reporter says that, as strange as it sounds, equities may still be a better place to invest given the forbidding signals coming from the credit market. What you’ll need to know tomorrowThe credit market endured its worst day in a decade.U.S. stocks plunged and Treasury yields sank.It’s time to panic, says one peer-beating fund manager.The U.S. may already be in a recession.The virus could cost the global economy $2.7 trillion. No, you shouldn’t be wearing a mask. Stop buying them.The Trump administration wants DNA from detained immigrants. Sponsored by The Townhome Collection at 11 Beach Street Two townhomes remain at Tribeca's most coveted address. Custom designed by Thomas Juul-Hansen, each of these homes offers a private entrance, cultivated living spaces and a private spa level, complete with a pool, steam room and sauna. Priced from $7,750,000. Available for immediate occupancy. What you’ll want to read tonightJames Harris had been troubled for months before his opiate-induced death last June. He was behind on his rent, drinking and using copious amounts of cocaine in his London apartment. When police searched his flat, they found crack pipes, sedatives and multiple mobile phones. Through calls, texts and encrypted messaging apps, Harris plugged into a loose network of day traders on two continents who cultivated sources at banks and companies to get an edge on huge deals, generating what prosecutors claim were hundreds of millions of dollars in profit. Sign up for the Bloomberg Recession Tracker: Bloomberg Economics crunches the numbers every month using our proprietary model to reveal the probability of a downturn over the next year. We’ll deliver an updated assessment of all relevant indicators, directly to your inbox. This free newsletter includes analysis showing whether recession risk is increasing or decreasing, with comparisons to the past month’s performance as well as previous recessions. Sign up here. Download the Bloomberg app: It’s available for iOS and Android. Before it’s here, it’s on the Bloomberg Terminal. Find out more about how the Terminal delivers information and analysis that financial professionals can’t find anywhere else. Learn more. |