Business

Coronavirus Takes Unprecended Toll On American Livelihoods

11:41am April 29, 2020

New figures show the economy saw its worst slow down in growth since 2008. And, a NPR poll finds 50% of people surveyed say they or someone in their household lost hours or a job due to the pandemic.

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Labor Reps Worry About Meatpackers Safety After Plants Ordered To Reopen

11:41am April 29, 2020

by Luke Runyon

President Trump says he'll invoke the Defense Protection Act to keep meatpacking plants open. OSHA issued new worker safety guidelines, but some labor representatives say they don't go far enough.

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President Trump signs the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act last week. The law added billions for loans for small businesses through the PPP.

National

Loopholes In Small Business Relief Program Allow Thriving Companies To Cash In

11:41am April 29, 2020

The Paycheck Protection Program is designed to help small businesses from falling off a cliff during the pandemic, but some companies on firm ground have gotten millions to expand.

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Scott Severs and his wife, Julie Bartlett, have been able to pay their mortgage and they have a healthy emergency fund. He donated his federal rescue check but acknowledges not everyone can.

Economy

Colorado City Employee Donates Stimulus Check To 3 Local Charities

10:52am April 29, 2020

by Becky Sullivan

Scott Severs and his wife Julie Bartlett have been able to pay their mortgage and they have a healthy emergency fund. So he donated his federal rescue check, though he acknowledges not everyone can.

Economy

Boeing's Bottom Line Reels From Coronavirus, 737 Max Groundings

8:22am April 29, 2020

by David Schaper

Boeing reported a narrower 1st quarter loss than Wall Street expected. It was already dealing with its 737 Max problems, and now the coronavirus is attacking Boeing's financials too.

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What Happened Today: Flyover Salute To Health Care Workers, Economy Questions

7:26am April 29, 2020

by Scott Horsley

NPR's chief economics correspondent updates the situation with federal small business loans and answers listener questions about what to expect after the pandemic is over.

Milk Delivery Business Booms As People Avoid Grocery Stores

7:12am April 29, 2020

A dairy farm in Maryland is overwhelmed with home delivery customers for its milk. South Mountain Creamery now delivers milk to 9,500 people weekly — double the number before the pandemic began.

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News Brief: Economic Data, Meat Shortage Concerns, Research Funds Pulled

6:21am April 29, 2020

We get a measure of how much damage COVID-19 has done to the economy. President Trump orders meat processors to stay open. And, the government terminates funding for a coronavirus research project.

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Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky told NPR he is "very confident" the company can still go public in 2020 despite the coronavirus upending the travel and hospitality industry.

Economy

For Airbnb, 2020 Was Supposed To Be A Banner Year. Then The Pandemic Hit

9:50pm April 28, 2020

by Bobby Allyn

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky tells NPR that he expects his company to survive the coronavirus pandemic by emphasizing cleanliness, and acknowledging that travel is likely changed forever.

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The Planet Money team on GoToMeeting with a goat (Listen to our recent episode, "Making It Work")

Why Remote Work Sucks, According To Science

6:26pm April 28, 2020

by Greg Rosalsky

What social science says about killing the office.