London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

A vaccine might be coming, but the Covid economy still desperately needs stimulus

A vaccine might be coming, but the Covid economy still desperately needs stimulus

The coronavirus-ravaged economy just received a jolt of something it hasn't experienced in months: hope.

Pfizer revealed Monday that data show its trial coronavirus vaccine is more than 90% effective, exceeding even the most optimistic expectations. The breakthrough set Wall Street zooming to record heights on hopes for a full economic recovery.

But while the vaccine could be an economic gamechanger, it will take months before doses are widely available -- and the US economy badly needs help now in the form of stimulus.

"This is some of the most unambiguously good news for the economy that we've had in a long time," said Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM International. "We now can see the light at the end of the tunnel. And it's not an oncoming train."

Yet it's crucial that politicians in Washington don't get lulled into a false sense of complacency -- or use the vaccine progress as an excuse to put off or limit the amount of fiscal relief.

"Lawmakers have to complete the bridge they started building at the beginning of the pandemic to get us to the end of the pandemic when people will feel comfortable going to restaurants and ballgames," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics.

Failure to provide aid would risk lasting economic damage, with bankruptcies and business closures hindering a full recovery. Industries like restaurants, hotels, concert halls and airlines continue to be crushed by the health crisis, and they can't wait much longer for support.

The dark winter hasn't been canceled


Economists have urged Congress to consider providing enhanced unemployment benefits, forgivable loans to small businesses, aid to the travel industry and funds that prevent a wave of layoffs by local governments hit by massive revenue shortfalls.

The need for fiscal relief is amplified by the worsening pandemic. Infections are soaring, hospitalizations are climbing and deaths are elevated. A record 126,742 new coronavirus cases were reported in the United States on Saturday alone -- the fourth straight day above 100,000 .

"We're still facing a very dark winter," President-elect Joe Biden said Monday after the vaccine announcement.

The economic rebound will be slowed by new health restrictions. For instance, Rhode Island recently announced a stay-at-home advisory that begins at 10 pm on weeknights and 10:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

"The vaccine is great. It makes everyone feel better. But at the end of the day, the pandemic is as bad as it's ever been," said Zandi. "We still have a lot of unemployed people, small businesses struggling to survive, airlines running on fumes."

'I would have starved'


Rainbow Rhodes, a career bartender/mixologist out of work since March, expressed optimism about the Pfizer (PFE) vaccine.

"The vaccine is promising because people will believe and trust enough to start coming back out," said Rhodes, a 40-year-old who lives in Jersey City, New Jersey. "Until the restaurants, bars and nightlife scene is opened back to full capacity, there's no way a lot of people like us get jobs."

When lockdown orders were issued, Rhodes said her weekly income instantly went from $1,000 to zero. Rhodes has three daughters, two in their twenties and one teenager, and her husband is a career musician who's also been out of work since the spring.

"I'm insanely lucky. If not for friends and family, I would have starved. My husband and I would have had nothing," said Rhodes, who added most days she lives on ramen or eggs.

Rhodes urged Congress to put aside differences and reach a relief deal. "It's absolutely ridiculous. It's a humanitarian crisis and they're just looking the other way," she said.

Hotels are still clamoring for help


The travel industry has been hit particularly hard. Hotel occupancy rates are nearly one-third below pre-crisis levels, according to the CNN Business Recovery Dashboard.

There's no doubt a safe and highly effective vaccine brightens the outlook. Shares of Marriott (MAR), Hilton Worldwide (HLT) and Hyatt (H) all surged 12% or more Monday.

"It's very exciting news," Best Western CEO David Kong told CNN Business Monday. "So many people have been cooped up and feeling depressed. This gives them hope that the end is near."

However, Kong warned the hotel industry still requires federal relief to stay afloat until a vaccine is widely distributed. And he said it's "certainly a fear" that the vaccine news will take the pressure off Congress to act.

"A lot of people are still suffering. It's devastating," said Kong, who added the spike in hotel stocks is for "Wall Street, not Main Street."

Like many hotels, Best Westerns are owned by franchisees rather than a deep-pocketed corporation, and they've cut an estimated 20,000 jobs during the pandemic. Additionally, the parent company that owns the hotel brand has laid off about 800 corporate associates.

Even if a vaccine is widely available in the second half of 2021, the hotel industry won't experience a "solid recovery" until 2023, according to S&P Global Ratings.

With the election over, Congress may not face imminent pressure to get a fiscal stimulus deal done. And Republicans are expected to retain control of the US Senate -- unless the party loses both run-off elections expected to be held in Georgia.

"That could be an opportunity to get people's attention," Kong said of the Georgia races.

'Premature to declare victory'


The sweeping actions from Congress and the Federal Reserve this spring were aimed at preventing economic scarring. That's because it becomes much harder for those on long-term unemployment to get rehired. Likewise, it takes time for shuttered businesses to be replaced by new ones. It's far more efficient to keep businesses open and workers working, if possible.

Gus Faucher, PNC chief economist, said the looming vaccine increases the need for Congress to prevent long-term scarring.
"We want businesses that are viable in the long run to stay open," said Faucher. "It would be premature to declare victory and go home."

The vaccine progress should minimize fears from deficit hawks that Uncle Sam is going to be on the hook for never-ending support to the economy.
"The fact the vaccine is in sight could make us feel comfortable spending this money," said Constance Hunter, chief economist at KPMG. "We can give you this bridge to the other side because we know it won't be the world's longest bridge."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×