-19
Pandemic of 2020
Written by Tara Radin and Dahlia Rehg
Case Summary
The global coronavirus pandemic of 2020 created chaos in the global economy. Entire countries
shut down their economies temporarily in an effort to contain the spread of the disease. In the
United States, the governors of 46 states issued stay-at-
were allowed to remain open. The response by other businesses varied. Some businesses found
Case Analysis
What constitutes a business ethics issue has clearly evolved generation by generation. As society
begins to tackle one problem, others come to light. Combatting financial fraud was, for example,
Critical Thinking Questions and Suggested Answers
1. What were the initial advantages and disadvantages of shutting down the
economy to combat the spread of Covid-19? Is there anything you would have
done differently had you been the policy maker?
Shutting down the economy helped to keep people physically safe. It also bought time
for hospitals; some were already overwhelmed; others were able to prevent becoming
2.
Although critics of the shutdowns argued the governors violated the constitutional
right to engage in business, the constitution does not enumerate such a right. The
3. Many people objected to restrictions imposed by their governors. American law
protects the right of people to protest when they object. Some of these objectors
elected to protest restrictions by violating them. If a salon owner opened their
salon during the shutdown, were they simply exercising their constitutionally
protected right to protest?
4. Should businesses have announced they were not going to pay rent? Is there a
lesson here for landlords or tenants?
Answers will vary. This issue is very complicated. The businesses were transparent,
but that transparency does not excuse that they were openly violating their contractual
5. Should businesses have furloughed employees?
Answers will vary. Students should discuss the reality that businesses have a range of
stakeholders, not just customers; if the business cannot sustain itself while continuing
6. What is the business rationale for companies like Comcast and U-Haul giving
away free services?
There are many possible responses. First, it creates good will and can engender
loyalty such that the customers receiving the free service might be more likely to pay
7. Should students have been charged full tuition once campuses closed?
expenses, upon which tuition prices were based, did not decrease significantly.
Students were still receiving the same education from the same instructors. While it is
8. In what sort of ways can post-pandemic businesses integrate what they have
learned through the pandemic?
This question is intentionally open-ended. Students will hopefully discuss how
companies can consider increased flexibility. Will restaurants that only started