Table 1.

Three scenarios for long-term imaging volume recovery

Scenario	Description	Timeline	Historical Examples
Swift	Restrictions are lifted quickly. Pent-up demand built over the course of several months. Positive media coverage and public outreach of medical centers would portray imaging centers as safe, which could accelerate recovery.	Volumes return to 80%-90% of prepandemic within 1-2 months.	First phase (March to April) of the 2003 SARS epidemic in Toronto [27] 2003 SARS epidemic in Taiwan [32,33]
Gradual	Even if restrictions are lifted quickly, the rate of recovery is dampened. This scenario is fundamentally built upon a general fear of contracting the virus at health care facilities and economic effects that relate to loss of income, insurance, and the consequent reduction in health care utilization.	Volumes take 2-3 months to return to 80%-90% of prepandemic levels.	2003 SARS epidemic in Taipei: designated infection hospital that was shut down for 1 month before reopening [34,35] Hotel demand after the SARS epidemic in Toronto (first and second phases) [36] 2007-2009 great recession [37] COVID-19 economic recovery in China [38]
Muted	Demand remains persistently low. Reoccurrences of infection require repeat physical distancing measures and interruption of elective imaging and image-guided interventional services. In the United States, sporadic outbreaks of COVID-19 will continue to occur, and although containable, these will contribute to a fear of health care facilities, resulting in a muted recovery response. Again, the economic effects resulting from COVID-19 could contribute to a muted recovery as certain segments of the population decline to undergo imaging examinations.	Gradual recovery, but only to 50%-80% of prepandemic volumes before plateau. Full demand does not recover until a vaccine/treatment/cure is available.	Second phase (May-June) of the 2003 SARS epidemic in Toronto [27] Ongoing waves of COVID-19

Note: The description, timeline, and historical examples upon which each scenario is based are shown. COVID-19 = coronavirus disease 2019; SARS = severe acute respiratory syndrome.