Archive for the ‘Coronavirus Economic Crisis’ Category
Link: https://www.npr.org/2021/03/12/976569019/chips-cars-and-the-baby-bust
In 2020, everyone, no matter their involvement with economics, knew what a shortage was. Toilet paper was gone from the shelves before it was even able to be stocked in stores. In 2021, there are some new shortages the U.S. is facing: microchips, cars, and babies. The Indicator discusses the causes of the limited supply of microchips which in turn is limiting car production, as well as the declining birth rate that the U.S. will face as a result of the pandemic.
Original Air Date: March 12, 2021
Length: 9 minutes 33 seconds
Link: https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace/goldman-sachs-to-invest-10-billion-in-black-women/
The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected black women, not only in growing unemployment rates but also in increased death rates. Goldman Sachs has committed to $10 billion going toward expanding economic opportunities for black women, having found that a black woman’s wealth is 90% lower than a white man’s, in addition to the struggles the pandemic has presented for the black community. This episode of Marketplace also discusses how restaurants will benefit from the relief package and why grocery stores are making investments into robots.
Original Air Date: March 12, 2021
Length: 28 minutes 34 seconds
Link: https://www.economist.com/podcasts/2021/03/18/how-can-successful-women-help-their-successors-through-the-glass-ceiling
With the passing of one year mark for the COVID-19 pandemic, we are seeing record numbers of women leaving the workforce. Looking toward the future, women in senior positions want to make sure that the advancements that women have made in the workforce do not regress. Anne McElvoy, of the Economist talks with Joanna Coles, CEO of Northern Star Investments and former chief content officer of Hearst magazines, and Melora Hardin star of “The Bold Type” and “The Office” about how executive women are portrayed in media. They also discuss how limited work-life balance and discrimination that women face affect their day to day lives. The discussion encompasses many issues that women have continued to endure, which is very important as we continue to move through International Women’s Month.
Original Air Date: March 18, 2021
Length: 30 minutes 38 seconds
Link: https://www.npr.org/2021/02/26/971873769/empty-houses-reclaimed
Housing insecurity is a major issue that is facing our nation especially in a pandemic with millions out of jobs. As a result of this people have began taking their living situation into their own hands. A group in California who call themselves the “Reclaimers” decided to break into and reclaim vacant houses owned by the state. State officials decided to not evict any of these new tenets but instead leased the properties out to the housing authority, which allowed for the homes to be part of a transitional housing program. Sasha Atkins, one of the “Reclaimers”, discusses how housing insecurity could be lessened greatly if more states employed programs like the one put forth in California.
Original Air Date: March 1, 2021
Length: 9 minutes and 49 seconds
Link: https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace/an-uneven-vaccine-rollout-means-an-uneven-economic-recovery/
As vaccines begin to roll out there will be disparities between cities, states, and countries due to the fact that there are not enough vaccines to give out at once. The time differences between areas will have lasting effects on how economic growth takes place. This episode of Marketplace also discusses other issues facing the U.S. such as the number of women in the workforce and the terrible effects of gun-violence on children.
Original Air Date: April 5, 2021
Length: 27 minutes 29 seconds
Link: https://www.marketplace.org/shows/make-me-smart-with-kai-and-molly/where-does-the-money-for-stimulus-checks-come-from/
$1.86 trillion in relief spending has been authorized by congress, which will be financed by the sale of government bonds and other debt instruments. The Federal Reserve Bank will purchase many of these bonds which will cause an inflow of money into the economy. This podcast also elaborates on the inflationary implications of the stimulus checks entering the economy.
There is also discussion of Google’s market power and vaccination progress.
Discussion Prompt: What is the intended goal of the stimulus checks and what unintended consequences can arise as a result?
Original Air Date: March 17, 2021
Length: 19 minutes and 34 seconds
Link: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/world-vs-virus-podcast/
Behravesh, chief economist at IHS states that the uncertainty and fear associated with Covid-19 has been responsible globally for decreased consumption. Although Covid-19 cases in many countries are decreasing, the economic impact is expected to continue for at least another year.
Original Air Date: October 1, 2020
Length: 13 minutes
Discussion Post: Pretend you are a policy maker. If at all, how would you help different industries that are in need of relief because of the pandemic such as the hotel/hospitality industry?
Link: https://www.npr.org/2020/10/09/922479527/wfh-from-barbados
The economy in Barbados is heavily reliant on tourism and has been struggling due to travel restrictions. To combat the effects of the lack of tourism, Barbados created a program called “Welcome Stamp”, where individuals can receive a visa to work remotely while living in Barbados for a year.
Original Air Date: October 9, 2020
Length: 9 minutes 25 seconds
Link: https://www.npr.org/2020/11/18/936321423/winter-is-coming-for-the-restaurant-industry
The Planet Money Indicator team explores the choices facing restaurants around the U.S. as the pandemic winter approaches. Includes an interview with a restaurant in Idaho that has implemented new strategies in the 2020 economic reality.
Assignment prompt: How does this podcast illustrate the short-run shutdown decision for firms? Use specific economic concepts from your reading and this podcast to explain the decision making process in general and specifically for firms in a crisis, such as the Covid-19 pandemic.
Original Air Date: November 18, 2020
Length: 9 minutes
Link: https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace/the-holiday-shopping-season-is-already-here/
About 100,000 businesses have had to shut down due to Covid-19, and the ones who have survived have had to change many aspects of product promotion. This is in part due to the changes we have seen in consumer behavior because of the pandemic. One way companies are adapting is by starting to sell for holidays now to combat the economic blow they have suffered because of Covid-19 and to make sure there are no shortages of products once the holidays arrive.
Original Air Date: October 12, 2020
Length: 28 minutes, 22 seconds
Discussion Prompt 1: What other ways have you seen businesses adapt to the impacts of Covid-19?
Discussion Prompt 2: Do you think Covid-19 will permanently alter the way consumers behave? If so, how? What about businesses?
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