Dec 27, 2021

Will shorter CDC isolation guidelines help COVID staffing issues?

Mario Tama via Getty Images

Plus: What the travel sector has learned from previous COVID waves, and how hunters are dealing with backlogs at the local butcher.

Segments From this episode

Holiday sales boosted by fear of empty shelves

by Lily Jamali

Dec 27, 2021

An early picture of the all-important selling season looks decent.

With shoppers hunting for presents earlier, retailers enjoyed the strongest holiday sales growth in nearly two decades, according to the Mastercard SpendingPulse report.

Brandon Bell via Getty Images

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COVID-19

Omicron will disrupt staffing in more than just the airline industry

by Savannah Maher

Dec 27, 2021

With the expiration of federally mandated COVID sick leave and related tax incentives, businesses are on their own.

The spread of omicron has brought with it staffing issues in the service industry and health care. Above, a "We're Hiring" sign hangs near the entrance to a CVS store on Nov. 5.

Joe Raedle via Getty Images

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COVID-19

Travel industry uses lessons from past COVID waves to deal with omicron

by Justin Ho

Dec 27, 2021

Like how to reduce contact, reschedule flights and handle the unexpected.

Airlines canceled hundreds of flights over the holiday weekend as the omicron variant spread.

David McNew/AFP via Getty Images

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Race and Economy

Why are Black people leaving big cities?

by Kimberly Adams and Richard Cunningham

Dec 27, 2021

Kimberly Adams speaks to Politico's Brakkton Booker about a new ongoing series on Black flight from major cities.

Chicago is the first city being spotlighted in Politico's “The Next Great Migration," which outlines how the exodus of a city's Black residents can impact its politics and economy.

Scott Olson via Getty Images

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A boon for local butchers is a hurdle for hunters

by Madelyn Beck

Dec 27, 2021

Flush with demand, meat processors are walking away from wild game.

Northwest Premium Meats in Idaho. Manager Elliott Tolbert says he's seen strong demand for butchering services, but processing wild game isn't always worth the effort.

Madelyn Beck/Mountain West News Bureau

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50 years of gaming consoles

Marketplace’s Kimberly Adams spoke with Jana Arbanas, Deloitte’s telecom, media and entertainment sector leader, about how the business model of the gaming console has drastically changed since its inception 50 years ago.

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Music from the episode

Benzoin Gum MF DOOM

Orchids Monster Rally

Scenic Drive Poolside

Hate It Or Love It The Game, 50 Cent

The Game Gabriel Garzón-Montano

Sunrise The Kooks

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

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

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