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Combating the coronavirus
Resources | Response | Impact
With the U.S. reporting an increasing number of COVID-19 cases, it’s important that businesses of all sizes and sectors continue to monitor the situation and are as prepared as possible to protect the health and well-being of their workers and that of their business.
Resources & Guidelines for Business
The U.S. Chamber is working closely with the White House, U.S. government agencies, and foreign government officials to inform and equip businesses with the most important and up-to-date information to prevent the spread of the virus and prepare businesses for the near and long-term impact.
All employers should be implementing strategies to protect their workforce from the coronavirus while ensuring continuity of operations. Download these guides created by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which are based on information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to learn more about how employers and employees can prepare for and address the impacts of the coronavirus.
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Workplace Tips for Employees
- Guidance For Employers To Plan and Respond To Coronavirus
- Customizable Workplace Flyer (Please open this file in the latest version of Chrome or Edge browser, or Adobe software, to customize.)
For shareable social graphics on how to keep families, schools, and businesses safe, and what to do if you get sick, visit www.uschamber.com/coronavirus-response-toolkit.
U.S chamber in action
Similar to any major natural disaster, the coronavirus will have a significant impact on workers, businesses, and the economy. No family should face financial ruin because of a loss of income and no business should go bankrupt because of a temporary loss in revenue as a result of the coronavirus. To that end, the Chamber is calling on Congress to pass a coronavirus response package that provides immediate relief to Americans workers and their families by extending unemployment insurance benefits and providing two weeks of paid sick leave.
- Legislation canceling payment of all payroll taxes paid by employers for the months of March, April, and May
- Legislation expanding and streamlining loan programs for small businesses
- Legislation enabling the creation of credit facilities to provide loans and loan guarantees to employers with more than 500 employee
In addition to these three steps, the U.S. Chamber calls for a series of measures to help businesses weather supply chain disruptions, support business operations, assist employees, and protect small and midsize businesses. You can view the full list of recommendations here.
Business response
The business community plays a vital role in combating outbreaks of viruses like the coronavirus. From developing life-saving antivirals to supporting global relief efforts to protecting their employees at home and abroad, businesses of all sizes and sectors are stepping up to address this crisis.
What business is doing
View our corporate aid tracker for details on how businesses of all sizes and sectors are stepping up to combat the coronavirus. Corporate donations, both cash and in-kind, to support medical professionals and non-profits currently exceed $418 million.
How you can help
If you are a business that’s interested in learning how you can support relief efforts, contact U.S. Chamber Foundation Senior Director of Global Resilience Brooks Nelson.
Economic Impact: In the U.S. and Around the World
Fundamentals remain strong
If you looked at the economic picture just weeks ago, it was very bright: unemployment at a 50-year low, strong wage growth, and record optimism among small businesses. Those underlying strength of our economy remains, but the coronavirus is a significant disruption. It may be a temporary and transitory disruption, but there is a very real risk that families will lose income and businesses could go under as a result.
Drag on global growth, modest impact in U.S.
The spread of the coronavirus is a drag on global growth, which includes the United States. Growth in the United States will likely slow in the first and maybe second quarters.
Consumer confidence is the wildcard
We are closely monitoring consumer confidence as it will have significant bearing on the length of the disruption and the depth of the slowdown.
Rebound likely once virus is contained
When the virus is contained, there will be a bounce back in growth that likely makes up for lost output. The longer the spread continues, the longer it will take to see that rebound.
