Coronavirus tests world’s dependence on China

Businesses like Starbucks, Ikea, Ford and Toyota are shutting down locations in China, and Apple is rerouting supply chains as the number of people infected by a mysterious flulike virus passes 6,000.

It’s not clear how quickly these businesses will bounce back.

Tourism is also suffering. British Airways suspended all flights to the mainland, and United Airlines and Air Canada joined a growing number of carriers reducing service. Governments around the world are issuing travel warnings.

China has been the world’s largest source of tourism dollars, but it appears unlikely that Chinese tourists will spend what they typically do — $258 billion annually, nearly twice the tally of Americans.

The toll: China said that 132 people had died from the virus, which is believed to have originated in Wuhan. There have been no reported deaths outside of China, but cases overseas have been rising.