Hitting Pause: Companies, Consumers, & the Markets

New spikes in coronavirus cases around the U.S. have signaled a yellow light for companies, consumers, and the markets betting on a nationwide reopening. Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former FDA Commissioner, warns of a time gap between implementation of policy and affecting Covid-19’s spread. Steps taken now amid infection spikes, he says, will help states in a few weeks. Disney has indefinitely postponed reopening California theme parks amid the case spikes, although Florida properties are still on track for a July reopening despite employee petitions to delay. Media watcher and Lightshed Partners co-founder Rich Greenfield says Disney’s plans for Florida point to a media giant under financial pressure. Plus, markets also took a signal from the cautious road to reopening; Allianz Chief Economic Advisor Mohamed El-Erian is looking for the next anchor for the stock market.