The country was scared. Financial markets were shaking. There were serious doubts about whether the country’s institutions could handle a challenge of historic proportions. No, that’s a summary of the atmosphere during the financial meltdown of 2008, the last time America’s financial, political and social institutions faced a confidence-shaking moment comparable to today’s. And in that case, the institutions didn’t emerge in great shape.

Source: Wall Street Journal March 13, 2020 12:56 UTC