The real indication that things are doing down is if the stock market doesn't open. That's clearly an essential component of anything major since you can be sure if something like this hit with the markets open they would go into a tailspin rapidly. Today markets were closed for MLK day, so if they don't open tomorrow (or Wednesday at the latest) you'll know this is the real deal.
If true and this happens prior to the 6th, then the president pro tem of the Senate steps in as president of the Senate. And who is that person? Chuck Grasssley!
Just earned himself a donation. That's the sort of unvarnished common sense we need in Congress.