The gross domestic product (GDP), which is considered the first estimate of national economic growth, was reported this week at a decline of 0.9 percent from last quarter. This is the second consecutive decrease, although it’s an improvement over last quarter’s drop of 1.6 percent. By some definitions, a recession is identified by declines in the GDP for two quarters in a row, so you can expect this report to trigger headlines over the next several days indicating that we’re now officially in a recession. But are we?