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COVID-19

The clock's striking midnight on some federal pandemic relief loans for small businesses

by Justin Ho
Mar 22, 2023
Businesses that received some federal pandemic loans could defer paying for two years, meaning most are coming due this year.
A small business owner fills out an online form for pandemic financial aid. Payments for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program are due this year.
Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images
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"You only live once" may explain Americans' continued spending spree

by Kristin Schwab
Mar 16, 2023
Some attribute it to pent-up demand. Others think the American consumer may have changed.
From dining out more frequently to traveling more, Americans continue to splurge on services despite persistent inflation.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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Shelf Life

The Federal Reserve's economic policy powers might be limitless, but should they?

by Jeanna Smialek
Feb 27, 2023
In her book "Limitless," New York Times reporter Jeanna Smialek asks how the Fed arrived at this powerful state.
"[Fed Chair Jerome] Powell and his colleagues knew, even as business news channels cheered on the forceful March 23 response that morning, that it would open his institution up to political criticism and possible mission creep," writes Jeanna Smialek in her new book. Above, Powell during an interview on Feb. 7.
Julia Nikhinson/Getty Images
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In China's most locked-down city, business can resume but recovery is a long way off

by Jennifer Pak
Feb 21, 2023
The Chinese city of Ruili, on the border with Myanmar, has had more lockdowns than almost any other place in China.
A jade seller and two women stare at their cellphones in Ruili. Vendors are trickling back to the Jiegao jade market, but customers are few and far between.
Charles Zhang/Marketplace
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Raising the curtain on theater employment

by Sabri Ben-Achour and Erika Soderstrom
Feb 16, 2023
How a children’s theater company is ensuring the show will go on after pandemic.
A stage production of Cinderella plays at the Minnesota-based Children's Theatre Company. Kimberly Motes, head of the theater, says it is still recovering from pandemic shutdowns that saw many employees furloughed.
(David Rubene/Children's Theatre Company)
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COVID-19

China's big question after ending "zero-COVID" rules: How many have died?

by Jennifer Pak
Feb 7, 2023
David struggled to help his 83-year-old father before he died of COVID. Will his father's death be counted in China's official toll?
Hundreds of millions of people in China were infected within weeks of the abrupt end to "zero-COVID" rules, experts say. Above, patients are cared for by relatives and medical staff in the atrium of a busy hospital on Jan. 13 in Shanghai.
Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
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Lunar New Year usually meant factory slowdowns. The pandemic changed that.

by Justin Ho
Jan 20, 2023
Traditionally, workers in parts of Asia travel during the holiday to spend time with family. Here's how COVID has changed that part of the supply chain.
Lunar New Year typically marks a time of slowed production in East Asia, but that changed during COVID. Above, an employee at a carbon fiber factory in China's eastern Jiangsu province.
AFP via Getty Images
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COVID-19

China ends zero-COVID, but are consumers ready to spend?

by Jennifer Pak
Jan 12, 2023
Chinese officials have lifted the harshest restrictions of the zero-COVID policy, but consumers are still cautious amid surging infections.
A tourist district in Xiamen city in late December 2022 was quiet amid a surge of COVID infections.
Jennifer Pak/Marketplace
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COVID-19

China's zero-COVID whiplash

by Jennifer Pak
Jan 5, 2023
China has abandoned its sweeping restrictions after nearly three years. Heads are spinning from the speed of the change, and infections are spreading quickly.
A disinfection squad enters a residential building in Shanghai, responding to a confirmed COVID case. Under China's zero-COVID policy, these teams could forcibly disinfect the homes of people who contracted the virus.
Charles Zhang/Marketplace
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Flu season, COVID and other viruses mean medication is in demand

by Kristin Schwab
Dec 27, 2022
The country is still facing shortages of Children’s Tylenol and other common over-the-counter medicines.
While some stores are limiting purchases of flu medications to avoid panic buying, others are facing shortages.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
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