jerome h powell : covid - 19 and the economy speech ( via webcast ) by mr jerome h powell, chair of the board of governors of the federal reserve system, at the hutchins center on fiscal and monetary policy, the brookings institution, washington dc, 9 april 2020. * * * good morning. the challenge we face today is different in scope and character from those we have faced before. the coronavirus has spread quickly around the world, leaving a tragic and growing toll of illness and lost lives. this is first and foremost a public health crisis, and the most important response is coming from those on the front lines in hospitals, emergency services, and care facilities. we watch in collective awe and gratitude as these dedicated individuals put themselves at risk in service to others and to our nation. like other countries, we are taking forceful measures to control the spread of the virus. businesses have shuttered, workers are staying home, and we have suspended many basic social interactions. people have been asked to put their lives and livelihoods on hold, at significant economic and personal cost. we are moving with alarming speed from 50 - year lows in unemployment to what will likely be very high, although temporary, levels. all of us are affected, but the burdens are falling most heavily on those least able to carry them. it is worth remembering that the measures we are taking to contain the virus represent an essential investment in our individual and collective health. as a society, we should do everything we can to provide relief to those who are suffering for the public good. the recently passed cares act is an important step in honoring that commitment, providing $ 2. 2 trillion in relief to those who have lost their jobs, to low - and middle - income households, to employers of all sizes, to hospitals and health - care providers, and to state and local governments. and there are reports of additional legislation in the works. the critical task of delivering financial support directly to those most affected falls to elected officials, who use their powers of taxation and spending to make decisions about where we, as a society, should direct our collective resources. the fed can also contribute in important ways : by providing a measure of relief and stability during this period of constrained economic activity, and by using our tools to ensure that the eventual recovery is as vigorous as possible. to those ends, we have lowered interest rates to near zero in order to bring down borrowing costs. we have also committed to keeping rates at

, and that should help support the recovery. in the meantime, we are using our tools to help build a bridge from the solid economic foundation on which we entered this crisis to a position of regained economic strength on the other side. i want to close by thanking the millions on the front lines : those working in health care, sanitation, transportation, grocery stores, warehouses, deliveries, security — including our own team at the federal reserve — and countless others. day after day, you have put yourselves in harm ’ s way for others : to care for us, to ensure we have access to the things we need, and to help us through this difficult time. 2 / 2 bis central bankers'speeches