COVID-19: Thoughts on the Manitoba Experience
Part 1
I began writing a new weekly report for my employer after spending time thinking about the content and audiences that I would address the reports to on a weekly basis. I launched the first report on February 21, 2020. The first five issues were aimed at an internal audience, while from issue 6 onward, the issues were publicly posted on my employer's website on our COVID-19 Toolkit page.
Issues One - Five
Issue one, February 21, 2020, of the Weekly Economic Digest had three topics. The lead story: considering the likely impacts of COVID-19 on Manitoba's economy via trade and tourism channels. In retrospect, the other two stories now fade in significance.
My second issue, released March 2, 2020, looked at ongoing supply chain disruptions, using the lens of rail car loadings, wholesale and retail channels. I noted that this was a time for the dusting off of remote work plans, and the thinking through what further disruptions may mean for business.
The March 6, 2020 issue looked at (the now) fortuitous investment in communication network internet speed expansion by firms operating in Winnipeg.
The fourth issue (March 12) then looked at how the drop in world oil prices would likely affect Manitoba. I noted that this was being driven by the COVID-19 demand shock, and the OPEC+ supply shock.
The fifth issue (March 20) looked at the rapidly emerging monetary and fiscal policies being constructed in Canada to bridge firms and families through a rapidly approaching lock-down and the use of other non-pharmaceutical interventions.
#COVID-19 #Manitoba #Winnipeg
Previous Editions of my notes, which also link to these issues: