STARTS
STARTS NOW. >>> TONIGHT WE CONTINUE TO
FOLLOW THE SPREAD OF THE
CORONAVIRUS BUT THE FIRST DEATH
FROM THE ILLNESS HAVE BEEN
REPORTED IN THE UNITED STATES,
THAILAND AND AUSTRALIA.
IT HAS KILLED NEARLY 3000
PEOPLE WORLDWIDE, MOSTLY IN
CHINA AND THERE HAVE BEEN MORE
THAN 85,000 CONFIRMED CASES ON
EVERY CONTINENT EXCEPT
ANTARCTICA.
ANTARCTICA. THE DEADLY VIRUS IS ALSO
IMPACTING BUSINESSES AROUND THE
WORLD INCLUDING RIGHT HERE IN
METRO ATLANTA.
METRO ATLANTA. EXPERTS PREDICT THE SICKNESS
WILL EMPTY RETAIL SHORT STORE
SHELVES IN THE COMING MONTHS.
WE SPOKE WITH A SMALL BUSINESS
OWNER HERE WHO SAYS HE IS
ALREADY FEELING THE IMPACT.
>> Reporter: THE SIGNS OF IT
ALL.
ALL.
ALL. FOR
ALL. FOR A FEW YEARS NOW, AND HE HAS
OWNED THIS COMPANY IN
LAWRENCEVILLE BUT LATELY HAS
HAD TO FACE WHAT COULD BECOME A
SCARY REALITY.
SCARY REALITY. McCUE DON'T THINK ABOUT IT.
YOU DON'T THINK AHEAD OF IT.
>> IT IS REALLY SCARY.
>> IF I DON'T HAVE WHAT I NEED
FOR MY CLIENT, I EVENTUALLY HAD
TO TURN BUSINESS AWAY.
>> Reporter: HE SAID HE WAS TOLD
CAT FACTORIES IN CHINA WILL
CREATE PARTS FOR IPHONES HAVE
BEEN SHUT DOWN BECAUSE OF
CORONAVIRUS AND THE DATE TO GET
THE PARTS IS BEING PUSHED BACK.
>> REALLY GREAT PEOPLE,
RELEGATE GUYS REALLY GREAT GUYS
-- JUST ONE PIECE OF IT, I
ORDERED 8 OR 9 AND BY THE TIME
I GOT THERE TO PICK UP THE
PARTS, THEY SOLD THEM.
>> Reporter: C NBC REPORTED 23
STORES IN MAINLAND CHINA HAVE
REOPENED AND MANY ARE OPERATING
ON LIMITED HOURS AFTER APPLE
TEMPORARILY CLOSED ALL OF ITS
STORES IN CORPORATE OFFICES IN
CHINA DUE TO AN ABUNDANCE OF
CAUTIOUS NEST.
CAUTIOUS NEST. >> Reporter: HOWEVER, SUPPLY
CHAIN DISRUPTION AND SHORTAGES
HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO HIT
RETAILERS LIKE BEST BUY AND
WAYFARER BECAUSE 60 TO 70% OF
THERE INVENTORY COMES FROM CHINA
ACCORDING TO NBC NEWS.
>> IF YOU JUST BOUGHT AN iPHONE
PROTECTED BECAUSE YOU'RE REALLY
LUCKY YOU GOT THAT