Witnessing the Birth of the Coronavirus Economy

New York was still making money a week ago. A few people wearing masks, some closings, but generally business as usual. And then we tumbled down a cliff. By Friday, commuters arriving at Grand Central Terminal paused as they entered the main concourse — stunned by its emptiness, the usual din quieted by stay-at-home orders from companies and the government. For the first time, the vast, star-covered ceiling seemed appropriate.

Earlier this month, I started to travel the city to document the onset of one type of economic activity — the anxious purchase of emergency supplies — and the collapse of many, many others.  More compelling photos here....

-- Ashley Gilbertson


What we are experiencing with Covid-19 is what most of the world experiences every day. Malaria, typhoid, meningitis and water-borne illnesses that endanger your loved ones. Except they have no power to resist it: scarce resources, no clean water, not to mention Purell or soap, to even fight against it. No way to cure, only to endure it.

May God grow compassion in our hearts as the enemy sows seeds of fear and scarcity, and may we give more, love more, and risk more to others in this troubled time. As you feel vulnerable, pray for and give to the most vulnerable. As you feel anxiety, praise God for what you have. As you are tempted to hoard, be generous and give away. There is freedom in this path of generosity and greater pain in the path of scarcity and fear. Even a small light is blinding in great darkness.

-- Matt Hangen, water for good