COVID-19

With sporting events cancelled, fans are spending their money and time playing sports apps and video games, and watching re-runs.

Some businesses seeing fewer customers from the other side of the border.

Many have already laid off their entire staff.

Some Americans will see $1,200 checks and expanded unemployment benefits.

As people see workplaces close, big layoffs and stock market uncertainty, they fear for their financial security.

One east London cafe might be closed during the city’s lockdown, but its co-owners are still cooking to serve the more vulnerable members of their community.

“We would love to have a nationwide moratorium on all utility shut-offs, but every day, turn-offs are happening,” Sherrilyn Ifill says.

Economists say generous benefits historically can give people an incentive not to look for a new job. But those benefits also stabilize families, and could keep people at home now when social distancing is required.

Dependence on global supply chains can be useful in a crisis only if countries don’t set up export barriers like some are now with medical supplies.

But the difficulty of balancing work and family predate this crisis.