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Pandemic

COVID-19

China's zero-COVID whiplash

by Jennifer Pak
Jan 5, 2023
China has abandoned its sweeping restrictions after nearly three years. Heads are spinning from the speed of the change, and infections are spreading quickly.
A disinfection squad enters a residential building in Shanghai, responding to a confirmed COVID case. Under China's zero-COVID policy, these teams could forcibly disinfect the homes of people who contracted the virus.
Charles Zhang/Marketplace
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Urgent care industry grows as need, business opportunity meet

by Kristin Schwab
Dec 12, 2022
The pandemic shone a light on urgent care's role in the health system. Private equity has taken notice.
A CityMD urgent care clinic in New York City. The chain is among several in the industry that are expanding aided by investment from private equity.
Cindy Ord/Getty Images
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COVID-19

What it's like returning to China's zero-COVID bubble

by Jennifer Pak
Nov 17, 2022
China is simplifying some of the rules to enter its zero-COVID bubble, but many hurdles remain.
Passengers from Pak's flight from Toronto in November are welcomed by staff at Shanghai's Pudong airport in hazmat suits.
Jennifer Pak/Marketplace
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I've Always Wondered ...

Why are there so many auto insurance commercials?

by Janet Nguyen
Nov 4, 2022
Car insurance companies spend billions each year trying to reach TV viewers and keep ahead of the competition.
Drivers in nearly every state are required to have insurance.
Carl Court/Getty Images
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My Economy

How the pandemic pushed this nonprofit worker to start her own businesses

by Andie Corban and Maria Hollenhorst
Nov 3, 2022
In addition to her day job, Jennifer Barton of Buffalo now sells mugs and other goods she makes, plus owns a community art studio.
Jennifer Barton at her studio in Buffalo, New York.
Brandon Watson
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COVID-19

Locked out of China by its zero-COVID policy, their lives changed course

by Jennifer Pak
Oct 5, 2022
China’s borders shut in March 2020 to contain COVID-19. It's been rough for people who made a life in China but were forced to leave.
China's rigorous COVID restrictions have made it difficult for some residents to return. Above, a woman at Hong Kong International Airport makes her way to hotel quarantine on Sept. 23.
Isaac Lawrence/AFP via Getty Images
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Macy's is expanding investment in strip malls with smaller stores

by Kristin Schwab
Aug 1, 2022
Outdoor shopping centers have become more popular as consumers look for convenience.
Macy's is building out its smaller-footprint concepts like Macy’s Backstage. They'll be located in strip malls, where consumers can make quicker shopping trips.
Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy's, Inc.
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These small businesses still feel supply chain pressures, even if data says they're easing

by Justin Ho
Jul 19, 2022
Shipping costs, wait times and sourcing materials are still a big problem for business owners in South Carolina and Calif.
Some businesses have had to adjust shipping strategies — like opting to ship by rail — to circumvent delays at ports.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
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Study finds pandemic ushered in population losses of historic proportions from big cities

by Lily Jamali
Jul 13, 2022
Domestic migration, with people leaving cities for other areas, was a key reason urban populations declined, according to the Brookings Institution.
New York and San Francisco are among the cities that faced an exodus of people during the pandemic.
Getty Images
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School lunches aren't free to everyone anymore. Some advocates think they should be.

by Samantha Fields
Jun 30, 2022
There are a lot of benefits to making school lunch and other social benefits more universal. But, yes, it's expensive to do.
Despite the popularity of universal free lunches during the pandemic, lawmakers allowed the program to expire.
Jon Cherry/Getty Images
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