Coronavirus could hurt SC’s economy, officials warn
Even if South Carolina stays healthy, the state’s businesses could still take a hit from the novel coronavirus, officials said Monday.
That’s because as coronavirus, or COVID-19, spreads to more countries, and to more places in the United States, businesses — particularly manufacturing — may have trouble getting the raw materials and resources needed to operate, said Chuck Bundy, the deputy director of the S.C. Department of Commerce.
“Almost all the companies we spoke to are examining their supply chains and reconsidering them and pulling out contingency plans,” Bundy said.
There are currently no cases of coronavirus in S.C., and Gov. Henry McMaster urged people to practice basic hygiene and not panic.
“It might be the easiest virus in the world to kill with soap and water,” McMaster said.
McMaster, noting the virus cannot be spread through the air — only through coughing, sneezing or touching contaminated surfaces — encouraged people to practice basic hygiene such as washing hands, covering coughs and avoiding people who are sick.
“If I can quote the group The Eagles, I’d say take it easy,” McMaster said.
‘Don’t panic,” McMaster said.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
McMaster and Bundy spoke at a Monday press conference alongside several other officials who are a part of S.C.’s Public Health Emergency Plan Committee.
Should South Carolina’s economy suffer from complications of coronavirus, it would hardly be alone. Not only have stock markets tumbled, but economies throughout the world are threatened by the virus, according to media reports.
Bundy said he thinks companies’ cash flow and revenue will be affected throughout the first part of the year, but could rebound later this year. Should coronavirus come to S.C., one option business owners may have is to allow employees to work from home, he said.
Bundy said he is not aware of any numeric projection of just how seriously coronavirus will affect the state’s economy, but did said there will be some change.
“There are going to be disruptions,” Bundy said.
Some businesses will be affected more than others. For example, there is a company in South Carolina that makes elastic strings for surgical masks, Bundy said.
“They just can’t (make) enough,” he said.
To prepare for the virus, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control has given tools to staff and trained them on how to identify coronavirus, according to a previous article from The State.
Should the virus begin spreading in S.C., DHEC could consider limiting large group gatherings and monitoring travelers who are flying in from areas affected by coronavirus, DHEC physician Brannon Traxler said.
Coronavirus, or COVID-19, has often been referred to as a “novel” virus. That means “this strain has not previously been identified in humans,” according to the Food and Drug Administration’s website.
Globally, 87,137 cases of coronavirus have been diagnosed, the lion’s share of which are in China, according to the World Health Organization. In the United States, 62 cases have been confirmed, according to the WHO.
The virus is spread by sneezing, coughing, contact with an infected person and — to a lesser extent — by touching contaminated surfaces, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.
Symptoms of coronavirus include fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the CDC.
This story was originally published March 2, 2020 at 2:17 PM.