In the context of the economic fluctuations due to the coronavirus pandemic, which of the following statements is CORRECT regarding depreciation and its effects on cash flow and net present value $($NPV$)?$

a$.$

Since depreciation is a cash expense, the faster an asset is depreciated amid the COVID$-19$ pandemic, the lower the projected NPV from investing in the asset.

b$.$

Despite the changes brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, under current laws and regulations, corporations must use straight$-$line depreciation for all assets whose lives are $5$ years or longer.

c$.$

Regardless of the financial impact of COVID$-19,$ corporations must use the same depreciation method for both stockholder reporting and tax purposes.

d$.$

Using accelerated depreciation rather than straight line normally has the effect of speeding up cash flows amid the economic challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, and thus increasing a project's forecasted NPV$.$