What Happened Today: Racial Disparities In COVID-19 Deaths, Economic Relief Details
NPR science and economics correspondents answer questions about the federal government's efforts to confront the virus.
Business
With Survival At Stake, Small Business Owners Frustrated By Aid Delays
The Paycheck Protection Program is meant to help small businesses keep workers on payroll. But first, businesses have to get the money — a process that has proven difficult for some.
States, Hospitals Say They're Still Not Getting Vital Supplies To Fight COVID-19
President Trump says the government's procurement and distribution system is "a fine-tuned machine," but many hospitals and state governors say they're struggling to get what they need.
Many Struggling Homeowners Not Getting The Mortgage Relief U.S. Promised
Millions of homeowners who've lost their incomes qualify to defer payments. But many say lenders are demanding unfair terms such as massive subsequent lump sum payments that they can't afford.
Walmart Faces Lawsuit Over Worker's Death From Coronavirus Complications
The wrongful-death case alleges Walmart ignored symptoms and failed to safeguard workers. The legal complaint is by the family of one of two employees from the same store who died in recent weeks.
Behind Facebook's New Local News Grants
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Campbell Brown, vice president of global news partnerships for Facebook, about the company's $100 million investment in local news agencies.
Seattle Bakery Owner On Her Online Pivot During Coronavirus Outbreak
NPR's Ari Shapiro checks in with Olga Sagan, owner of Piroshky Piroshky bakery in Seattle, about how business is going amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Meat Processing Plants Suspend Operations After Workers Fall Ill
Several processing plants in the U.S. are sitting idle this week because workers are sick with the coronavirus. Other facilities are still operating, but fewer workers are showing up.
More Aid Coming For Small Businesses, Senate Majority Leader McConnell Says
The $350 billion small business program created in the massive coronavirus relief package is popular, and multiple senators say more money is needed to keep it afloat.
Are We Firing Too Many People In The U.S.?
Instead of mass layoffs, Germany tries to safeguard employment. Under a program called Kurzarbeit, when companies declare they're under financial distress, the government helps pay their workers.