Economics

The Shape of the Recovery May End Up Coming From Another Alphabet

You’ve heard about a V-, U-, and K-shaped recovery by now. But what about Baa?

Illustration: Headexplodie

Economists have run through the alphabet this year.

They’ve turned to letters and shapes in an effort to illustrate the unprecedented economic upheaval caused by the pandemic. The 2008-09 financial crisis had Ben Bernanke’s “green shoots” and angst about a “double dip” recession. In 2020, we’ve heard about not only a V-, U-, L-, and K-shaped recovery, but also a Nike Swoosh and Cape Cod in winter. The econospeak has even cracked into the mainstream, showing up in presidential debates and in major media.