They plan to close them until spring holidays late next month. We can expect much of the US to do the same if the virus comes in during the winter season.
This is a big reason why the stock market is dropping.
> This is a big reason why the stock market is dropping.
That's.. a gross over simplification. The market sees a lot of perceived risk, whether that's school closures or factories shuttering temporarily, disruption in travel or other effects.
The move towards investing more in gold bullion is both reactionary and indicates the market perceives a heightened risk of crash. Note that the market perceiving something doesn't make it true or inevitable, anymore than your aunt Jill perceiving she's allergic to bad chakras.
> We can expect much of the US to do the same...
Maybe. That depends heavily on how any given local body is willing to admit the problem exists, federal pressure on them one way or another, and general population beliefs. I'd expect California to close a few schools if they see more cases, but I wouldn't expect Alabama to.
This is a big reason why the stock market is dropping.