Jul 10, 2020

Welcome to the “low-touch” economy

A medical worker elbow bumps a passerby in New York City. Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Plus: the Goya boycott, college sports and back-to-school shopping when it's not clear who's going back to school.

Segments From this episode

The Weekly Wrap: How we're doing in the 16th week of the pandemic

Marketplace host Kai Ryssdal talks to Linette Lopez at Business Insider and David Gura at MSNBC about federal unemployment assistance, the state of economic recovery and more for the Weekly Wrap.

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COVID-19

How the pandemic is creating a “low-touch” economy

by Kimberly Adams

Jul 10, 2020

Social distancing guidelines and nervous customers are pushing business to change how they operate. Some of the changes may be permanent.

The entry area of the Akwaaba D.C. bed and breakfast. Usually the inn would be booked solid this time of year, but few customers are visiting during the pandemic.

Kimberly Adams/Marketplace

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Consumers are boycotting Goya, but will it work?

by Erika Beras

Jul 10, 2020

The company makes Latinx grocery staples. Its CEO just praised President Trump. Latinx activists aren't happy.

Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

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COVID-19

Lumber prices climb as people stuck at home build those gazebos they've been putting off

by Andy Uhler

Jul 10, 2020

The price of lumber is at a 2½ year high, driven by a sawmill slowdown and more interest in home projects.

Timber on the dock of a New Zealand port in February. Demand for lumber hasn't slowed, but production has.

Phil Yeo/Getty Images

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COVID-19

Higher education could see big revenue losses from a sports shutdown

by Kristin Schwab

Jul 10, 2020

College sports bring TV contracts, corporate donations and other income that could be lost this year due to COVID-19.

Fans cheer the Ohio State University Buckeyes at a 2008 game. In one year, sports brought in $209 million to the school.

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

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COVID-19

Lots of parents hold off on back-to-school shopping

by Marielle Segarra

Jul 10, 2020

Because...are the kids even going back to school this year?

French schoolchildren wearing protective gear attend class in May. Will this year's purchases include face masks and hand sanitizer along with notebooks and pencils?

Damien Meyer/AFP via Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Opendoors Jitwam

To be Remote TOKiMONSTA

Memories Blue Lab Beats

Cirrus Bonobo

Mirage Toro y Moi

4/17/1975 Rob Viktum

Say My Name Destiny's Child

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

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