Is this economic crisis CAUSED by the coronavirus or was the coronavirus a CATALYZER for deeper problems in the capitalist economy? New Deal liberal economics like Paul Krugman and Robert Reich wishfully think the virus is the cause. Mainstream economists think that by this fall the economy will return to normal. But this assumes that: a) the virus will not return in the fall; b) consumers will return to their previous spending patterns, and; c) small businesses will be able to start up again. These economists don’t learn from history.