THE CURVE AND THE HORIZON

The chatter throughout the country and indeed the world is flattening the virus curve. Ignore it. Stay home and do your part. Let's talk about what will benefit YOU, a reader of the best legal blog on earth. And that topic, dear reader is looking over the horizon. 

Looking over the horizon is what Rumpole does best. It is why we sold the market short in February and March and if you listen to us, you too can make the moves necessary to assist your businesses and family. 

THIS WEEK: The market will continue to wildly react up and down to news that is somewhat financial driven -stimulus packages, and somewhat non-financial driven-virus numbers. 

VIRUS NUMBERS- will increase dramatically the next two weeks. Millions of positive tests will be reported first world wide, then nationwide.  Do not be alarmed. There is some good news hidden in large numbers. First, this virus has been with us since at least the fall of 2019 which means we will be approaching herd immunity by the summer: more people will have been exposed to it than not, and that means a majority of people will have immunity. Second, the virus lethality numbers will continue to lower as doctors get a good handle on how to treat it with available conjunctive therapies. For example, while there is some debate, a treatment protocol with the standard antibiotic Zpack,  in conunction with administering low level corticoid steroids, and the malaria drug chloroquine appears to have a very significant success rate, with some local hospitals in France reporting 100% remission rates.  

As the virus numbers increase, the markets will dramatically react. Do not be alarmed. Think of this as days 6-8 of having the virus- the worst days. In a similar fashion, three to five weeks from now the virus numbers will start to lessen and that means the markets will similarly react in a positive manner. If you want some stock advice, email us. But for now, stay in or consider buying at the end of April Apple (Apple stores in China are reopening, as are the factories manufacturing the phones), Amazon, Walmart, Clorox  China Mobil , Ali-Babba (see the note on Apple) , Abbe, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Shopify, ATT, Verizon, and 3M (masks and medical supplies). Avoid Banks (businesses are going to default on loans at an alarming rate), energy (no need for oil- no one is going anywhere), and of course travel and entertainment (which is toast for a while). Last night a friend emailed us saying his financial advisor told him to buy Carnival Cruise. A million dollar buy. We asked him to send us the money instead considering he wanted to throw it away. The cruise industry is dead for the next two years. After that the new model will be smaller ships, with closer attention to hygiene. 

YOUR HEALTH: If you do not feel well, the operative word is HOT LIQUIDS ever thirty minutes all day long. Google the reasons why. Also, as a matter of practice, change clothes when returning home and wash the clothes immediately AND gargle with Listerine upon retuning home and make a practice of gargling with Listerine three times a day. The Virus resides in your throat and mouth area before attacking your respiratory system. Gargling with Listerine, or in the alternative hot water with salt and lemon will help kill the virus before it attacks you. 

YOUR WORK: The way we work has changed forever. That means, we are sorry to say, that the bottom just fell out of the commercial real estate market but no one else is telling you that. Millions of people will be shifting to telecommuting for the next few years. For example in Law, there is no reason why appellate lawyers in the prosecutors and PD offices cannot work from home 4 days a week. Financial analysts, tech services, you name it- people will be working from home. This means 5G is now a necessity. The stock play for 5G is Marvell (MRVL). 
In large cities expect to see many commercial buildings converting to living space, which will in turn mean a reduction of rent costs for living in places like NYC, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, and Miami. All of the sudden real estate is not the safe investment it used to be. 

OUR FUTURE: The virus curve will flatten in the next two months and current treatments will become more effective while new treatments with new anti-virals currently being tested will come on the market. That means you can expect to return to work over the summer BUT beware that as in 1918, the virus can return with a vengeance in the fall and winter which is why we said telecommuting is in our future for the long term. A vaccine MAY be available this time 2021, BUT that doesn't end the discussion. We have entered a world of viruses. Which means there will be another and another and another as we adapt our health care system and our habits. 

And finally, we hate to say this, but Florida is entering hurricane season. You need to be prepared. Have your shutter system ready. As people adapt to this way of living, the supermarkets will be restocked the next few weeks because most people cannot keep panic buying as they have been. NOW IS THE TIME to buy your water and your shutter systems to be prepared. We recommend shuttering every other window and door in your home NOW while you are home with nothing else to do. 

What you should be thinking about is not this week or next week. You should be thinking about July-December 2020. Next week you should be thinking about January 2021. This is how you stay ahead of the curve. Email us with any questions and we will help you. 
HR