LMT SPECIAL REPORT: COVID-19

[March 27]: In February, the optimism among our How’s Business survey participants was palpable: nearly two-thirds of laboratories rated the overall economic health of their business as “excellent” or “good” and the majority said 2019 had been the best of the last five years for their businesses. A month later, everything—and we mean everything—changed.

Early concerns about COVID-19 in our industry had mostly to do with its potential impact on established infection control procedures and questions regarding practices like reusing case boxes. But as the situation rapidly progressed with changes literally taking effect hour to hour, laboratory owners were left scrambling about how—and if—they continue doing business right now.

“Laboratory owners are now confronted with short- and long-term decisions about business continuity. And with Congressional and White House action, paid leave issues,...