Preventing inevitable recession from becoming depression

The global economy is heading into a recession, initially at least a pretty severe one.
The measures introduced by governments in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus are having a dramatic effect on huge swathes of economic activity. There is the direct loss of output and employment caused by the closure of shops, bars, restaurants, the reduction in travel and, in some areas, complete lockdown.
In businesses that continue to operate with employees working from home, productivity and output will suffer.