COVID-19 Optimism Index
The Northwood University COVID-19 Optimism Index is prepared daily by the McNair Center for the
Advancement of Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship at Northwood University.
(See also: Guidelines for Opening Up America Again)
Latest Optimism Index
A score of 65-70% indicates early economic recovery. A score of 100% would indicate a return to the Pre-COVID-19 economy.
The Index follows seven variables on a daily basis. The variables are (a) Total U.S. COVID cases, (b) Total U.S. COVID-related deaths, (c) Current U.S. COVID-19 Mortality Rate, (d) Performance of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), (e) Performance of the NASDAQ Stock Exchange, (f ) Performance of the Wilshire 5000 Stock Index, and (g) Movement in the yield on the U.S. Treasury 10-year Bond. The index tracks variables c, d, e, f, and g in the calculation of its Index. The Index uses variable c as a proxy for the impact of the COVID-19 virus on the economy, variables d, e, and f as a proxy for the general health of the economy, and variable g, as a proxy for the general level of con fidence in the economy.