Feb 25, 2021

Ready to release some pent-up demand

Patrons dine at an outdoor restaurant in downtown San Diego, California, in July. Sandy Huffaker/AFP via Getty Images

Also on today's show, the challenges in winterizing Texas' power grid and an update on how pandemic learning pods are working nearly one year into the pandemic.

Segments From this episode

COVID-19

Consumers may be ready to release their pent-up demand

by Kimberly Adams

Feb 25, 2021

As the pandemic retreats, Americans who can afford to spend on things they've been deprived of may start spending.

After months of shopping online, many Americans look forward to visiting brick-and-mortar stores.

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

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Are New Yorkers ready to go out for dinner and a movie?

by Jasmine Garsd

Feb 25, 2021

There is pent-up demand and cash. A lot of people who haven't lost their jobs also haven't been spending money.

Will there be a generational gap between who ventures out to dine and who be stays in and uses a delivery app?

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

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Agriculture is counting on pent-up demand for its recovery

by Kai Ryssdal and Sean McHenry

Feb 25, 2021

COVID-19 killed demand for many farm products. But with vaccine rollouts and consumers venturing out again, will that turn around?

A farmer plants soybeans near Dwight, Illinois.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

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Adventures in Housing

We're doing shutters all wrong

by Amy Scott

Feb 25, 2021

And historic preservationist Scott Sidler is on a mission to change that.

These shutters on the home of famed French painter Henri Matisse? Functional. The shutters of so many homes in the U.S.? Dysfunctional.

Valery Hache/AFP via Getty Images

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Texas governor pledges to "mandate and fund" winterization of power grid

by Andy Uhler

Feb 25, 2021

While the mandate deals with the power problem, gas and water are not addressed.

The state needs to be prepared to prevent extreme cold from paralyzing the electric power system.

Matthew Busch/AFP via Getty Images

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COVID-19

How are those pandemic learning pods doing?

by Erika Beras

Feb 25, 2021

The school year is more than half over, and what began as a widespread educational experiment may have legs.

Students follow along remotely at a learning pod in Culver City, California.

Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Fall In Love Phantogram

Plate Richard Houghten

Can I Kick It? A Tribe Called Quest

Music Save Me (One More Time) Mocky

Seconds Into Months (Instrumental Version) MNDLSS

Kamikaze MØ

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

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