@kurth

At least the plan is elegant.

We won't give you money from your bank account... to save your life. Live with it.

Due to the current global outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus, Olympus has taken the decision to limit international travel amongst its workforce. This means that our camera technicians from the Olympus Service Facility in Portugal will be unable to travel to The Photography Show in Birmingham from 14-17 March 2020 – and therefore there will be no Check & Clean service available on the Olympus UK stand this year.

We understand this will be disappointing to the many Olympus photographers who use this free service at TPS, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Follow the link below to our Image Space site for more information on what you’ll find on the Olympus UK stand – including talks by award-winning photographers and live demonstrations of kit, plus the chance to ask experts questions and try out our whole range of cameras and lenses – including the brand new OM-D E-M1 Mark III…

The Photography Show is interesting exception.

As a result of delays in the procurement of parts and components from a third-party cooperating company due to measures implemented in response to the spread of COVID-19, the release of the new Nikon D6 digital SLR camera, originally planned for March 2020, will be delayed. We sincerely apologize to our customers and all those concerned for any inconvenience this may cause.

We are now planning to release the Nikon D6 in May 2020 and will announce the new release date once it has been determined.

Bad.

“I am going to sign a decree that can be summarized as follows: I stay at home,” Conte said, according to The Guardian. “The whole of Italy will become a protected zone.”

Clearly we should expect new sales record for camera sin coming months in Italy.

People I talked also tell that it'll be huge workers shortfall, owners expect that remaining people will demand salaries increase in coming week after realizing the power they have now.

Wages will go up just like after the black plague!

https://www.economist.com/free-exchange/2013/10/21/plagued-by-dear-labour

The Open Market Trading Desk (the Desk) at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York has released the repurchase agreement (repo) operational schedule for the upcoming period.

Beginning Thursday, March 12, 2020 and continuing through Monday, April 13, 2020, the Desk will offer at least $175 billion in daily overnight repo operations and at least $45 billion in two-week term repo operations twice per week over this period. In addition, the Desk will also offer three one-month term repo operations, with the first operation occurring on Thursday, March 12, 2020. The amount offered for each of these three operations will be at least $50 billion.

Repo market has big issues in US.

Heard some news.

In coming 2 months we can see huge cuts in marketing and PR departments. Up to 70%.

This will include EU and US cameras companies also.

Disneyland will close for the month over coronavirus.

Photokina refuses to cancel the show. I guess a cancellation will be the death of Photokina as a trade event. Still with all such big events being cancelled worldwide there is actually no reason to believe that Photokina will be able to proceed in may.

"Dear customers and partners of Koelnmesse,

We are currently receiving inquiries as to how a possible risk from the Corona virus affects our Koelnmesse events.

Koelnmesse takes the topic seriously, because the health of all fair participants is the top priority.

We will evaluate the recommendations of the responsible authorities regarding major events for each individual Koelnmesse event and, as before, make our decisions after careful consideration. Preparations for photokina continue according to the current status for the specified date. We look forward to your participation.

We will provide information on useful prophylactic measures on site. We are increasingly offering disinfectants, which are the most effective anti-transmission agents. Highly frequented areas are also cleaned with increased frequency. Qualified doctors and paramedics in our medical stations are prepared for possible suspected cases and are available to answer any questions you may have. If there is a suspicion during the event, all spatial and organizational precautions have been taken at the exhibition center to take immediate remedial measures.

You can find more information at www.koelnmesse.de/lp/corona.php .

Cologne, March 13, 2020"

One of those lessons is that the most effective way to minimize risk of the virus’s transmission is to reduce density and maximize social distance. As rates of new infections continue to grow in other places, we’re taking additional steps to protect our team members and customers.

We will be closing all of our retail stores outside of Greater China until March 27.

Apple.

Federal Reserve massage

Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Committee seeks to foster maximum employment and price stability. The effects of the coronavirus will weigh on economic activity in the near term and pose risks to the economic outlook. In light of these developments, the Committee decided to lower the target range for the federal funds rate to 0 to 1/4 percent.

https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/monetary20200315a.htm

Time to move into negative rates area.

First stock market closed "until further notice". Wall Street can follow in few days.