Jan 20, 2022

The KN95 masks you bought online might not be cutting it

According to the Center for Disease Control, some KN95s aren't meeting standards. Plus: High demand for construction workers and a check-in from an Iowa farmer.

Segments From this episode

COVID & Unemployment

First-time jobless claims rise — and worse may be yet to come

by Mitchell Hartman

Jan 20, 2022

Analysts say businesses are under pressure and economic confidence has suffered.

Jobless claims have risen alongside job insecurity and omicron is partially to blame. Above, a woman walks past a "Now Hiring" sign.

Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

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Homebuilders say they can't find enough workers despite better pay

by Amy Scott

Jan 20, 2022

Demand is pushing up wages, but not enough, some say, to bring young workers to the door as older ones head for the exit.

The construction industry is dealing with a labor shortage as older workers leave the field and too few young people choose to join it.

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

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Those KN95 masks you just bought might not meet testing standards

by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst

Jan 20, 2022

We go shopping for face coverings with a self-professed “mask nerd”

A discarded face mask is seen on the ground. It can be difficult for consumers without specialized testing equipment to verify the quality of masks they purchase.

David Gannon/ Getty Images

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Resume gaps may shrink in importance, especially for women of color

by Lily Jamali

Jan 20, 2022

Employers need understand the many reasons workers have left the jobs on their own or involuntarily, one supervisor says.

Women dropped out of the workforce in record numbers over the past year and a half. Will employers still view resume gaps as red flags?

SDI Productions/Getty Images

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As prices at the grocery store rise, farmers' costs are up too

by Kai Ryssdal and Andie Corban

Jan 20, 2022

Iowa corn and soybean farmer April Hemmes paid double for nitrogen this year. Consumers shouldn’t blame growers for inflation, she said.

“Of all years the world needs our commodities, this was not the year to have late planting,” says April Hemmes, a corn and soybean farmer in Iowa.

Ben Hethcoat/Marketplace

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Music from the episode

Kiss Me More (feat. SZA) Doja Cat, SZA

Higher Noble Oak

You Got Me The Roots, Tariq Trotter, Erykah Badu, Eve

Respiration Black Star, Common

Timeless (Instrumental) J Dilla

Exotic Dance - From The "Coffy" Soundtrack Roy Ayers

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Daisy Palacios Senior Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer

Sean McHenry Associate Producer

Andie Corban Associate Producer

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer

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