A year beleaguered by crises, 2020 has left many Americans concerned about what lies ahead for future generations. This advisory is designed to help people deliberate together about what we should do to ensure that future generations can succeed in a greatly changed world.

THE PANDEMIC of 2020 swiftly brought the US economy to a near standstill: more than 36 million people lost jobs by that summer. The Wall Street Journal estimated that one-quarter of all business activity shut down in a matter of weeks.

The coronavirus pandemic of 2020 swiftly brought the US economy to a near standstill—more than 36 million people had lost their jobs by the summer. The Wall Street Journal estimated that one-quarter of all business activity shut down in a matter of weeks.

This issue advisory considers how we should rebuild the US economy when we emerge from the pandemic and the recession. What will our priorities be? What lessons should we learn from this experience? What can communities do to build a prosperous future?