As many people have been social distancing and staying at home for quarantine, markets adjust to keep up with the public’s needs. Nonessential operations have either closed, reduced hours, or switched to virtual operations to protect employees and consumers in the COVID-19 pandemic. With these virtual shifts came many layoffs and downsizings as many businesses struggle to remain open until reintegration. This shift holds the expectations that operations will eventually return to normal as the number of cases decrease. Realistically, the increase in virtual connections will likely leave a lasting impact on a variety of industries that many were not expecting so soon. I recently listened to a report by The Indicator about how performers are adjusting to this virtual shift and what they are expecting as the economy reopens. The podcast elaborates on the efforts and logistics that go into keeping the performing arts industry alive. Struggling artists and performers likely do not have the financial support to be selective for work during this time. They need to follow the money as the industry changes and have switched to recorded and other online platforms to maintain employment. It is not surprising that the arts industry suffers during a recession. People have less and less money to spend on luxuries, such as the performing arts. The industry has gone through many recessions, however this recession is likely to last longer as regulations and preventative efforts limit large gatherings. This results in more virtual content and broadcasts rather than live performances. Many worry that these restrictions will postpone their long term plans and limit what sort of content they can produce. Optimists hope that this shift to virtual content will eventually lead consumers to see the same content, but in person. It is a quick and interesting segment! Here is the original post: https://www.npr.org/2020/04/15/835450828/performing-after-a-pandemic