The COVID-19 pandemic caused an economic shock that the region was not prepared for. School and workplaces shifted quickly to remote-only, putting stress on internet connectivity. Restaurants, gyms, daycares and more were closed, causing many to become temporarily or permanently unemployed. Travel was deemed unsafe, so important tourism money dried up. The list of impacts goes on, but the fact of the matter is this: the Hampton Roads economy was not prepared for this most recent shock – it came as a surprise, and hit both the supply and demand sides of the economy.