PARIS—The hunt for masks, ventilators, and other medical supplies consumed the United States and Europe, as more than 1.5 billion people—one-fifth of the world’s population—were asked or ordered to stay home on Monday to try to blunt the spread of the CCP virus.
Political paralysis stalled efforts for a quick aid package from Congress, and U.S. stocks fell at the opening bell even after the Federal Reserve said it will buy as much government debt as necessary and lend to small and large businesses and local governments to help them cope with the economic damage from the outbreak.
