May 11, 2020

Even when stores reopen, will anyone go?

A waitress disinfects a table at a restaurant on May 5 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. One requirement of the Paycheck Protection Program is to bring back all full-time-equivalent employees. Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images

Plus: 78% of the people who lost their jobs last month were temporarily laid off. Should they feel optimistic about going back to their original jobs?

Segments From this episode

COVID-19

Stores and restaurants are reopening, but should you go back?

by Marielle Segarra

May 11, 2020

An informal Twitter survey shows that safety concerns stirred by the pandemic are keeping people away.

A waitress wearing gloves and a mask carries food at a Tennessee restaurant on April 27. Tennessee was one of the first states to reopen restaurants.

Jason Kempin/Getty Images

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COVID-19

Fighting housing insecurity, one video conference at a time

by Amy Scott

May 11, 2020

A 40-year-old program for low-income Atlantans goes virtual.

Lawyers and judges are among those working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

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COVID-19

How many furloughed workers will return to their jobs? Many are optimistic

by Kristin Schwab

May 11, 2020

The longer you're laid off, the more likely it is to become permament.

A temporarily closed restaurant in Chicago. Eateries and tourism may lag some other industries in reopening.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

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COVID-19

USDA announces food distribution program, but will it help farmers?

by Jasmine Garsd

May 11, 2020

The Farmers to Families Food Box Program will begin distributing $1.2 billion in surplus food to communities across the country.

A food bank worker distributes goods. A Marketplace-Edison poll found that 44% of Americans over 18 fear being unable to afford food.

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

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COVID-19

Why is it so hard for the government to buy PPE?

by Andie Corban and Kai Ryssdal

May 11, 2020

ProPublica's David McSwane said brokers are trying to profit off of unprecedented demand for face masks.

Workers produce face masks at the Thai Hospital Product Co. factory in Bangkok.

Jonathan Klein/Getty Images

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COVID-19

This flower company survived Mother’s Day, but the future remains uncertain

by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst

May 11, 2020

“If there’s a recession on the horizon, we’re all just going to be at the mercy of what that looks like,” said Christina Stembel, CEO of Farmgirl Flowers.

For companies like Farmgirl Flowers, the second weekend in May is one of the most important of the year.

Boris Horvat/AFP via Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Blue Monday Pete Rock

Lazy Hibiscus Monster Rally

Awake Tycho

Light Cycle Yppah

Sea Legs The Shins

Dim Moss Of Aura

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

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