As the financial impact of the coronavirus deepens, we are hearing firsthand through our surveys and people's stories the extent of hardship and heartbreak across America. With the economy wrenched off its axis, consumers are concerned about whether they'll be able to pay their mortgages, rents, student loans, and basic expenses.
To help ease that burden, we've assembled expert financial advice that we believe will be useful for navigating the uncertainties of this moment. We want you to have the trusted knowledge you need to make hard long-term decisions and day-to-day financial choices wisely. And as the response to the pandemic takes shape, CR will continue to advocate for consumer protections and priorities that will help you and your family emerge both healthy and secure.
In times of crisis, it's more important than ever that the things you buy be safe and reliable—for the sake of your family and your budget. To put trustworthy CR information within reach of more people, we are introducing a new program called CR Recommended. When you shop online—and when physical stores reopen—you may see "CR Recommended" attached to certain products to let you know that they meet our strict criteria for safety, performance, value, and reliability.
Our hope is that giving more consumers instant, easy confirmation that a product they're considering meets our standards will help alleviate a little bit of the uncertainty we're all feeling right now. (Read more about CR Recommended.)
As each of us reckons with the personal loss and upheaval the COVID-19 crisis has brought, we at CR pledge to continue looking for ways to deliver you greater peace of mind through the knowledge, trust, and guidance you have come to depend on.
Editor's Note: This article also appeared in the July 2020 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
