Tamale Lady Is Caught Up In Coronavirus Massive Shutdown As communities across the country radically restrict public gatherings, small business owners and their workers are scrambling to stay afloat. For example: Alicia Villanueva, the tamale lady. Eric Westervelt
Federal Reserve Establishes Lending Facility To Back Up Money Market Mutual Funds The Fed will receive $10 billion from the Treasury Department to cover potential losses in loans made to eligible financial institutions, to backstop the money market mutual fund industry. Scott Neuman
Starbucks says it's already recovering from the impact of COVID-19 Starbucks was one of the first US companies to be sucked into the coronavirus downdraft. Now it’s the first to start reporting from the other side. Carolyn Adolph
Trump Invokes A Cold War Relic, The Defense Production Act, For Coronavirus Shortages A law that allows the executive branch to direct industrial production is being used to spur firms to step up their output of scarce items, such as face masks and ventilators. David Welna
Stimulus Cash For Strapped Workers, With Few Places To Spend It The $1 trillion stimulus package proposed by the Trump administration is unusual in that it would give Americans more spending money, even as many spending outlets have been closed by the pandemic. Scott Horsley
Empty Grocery Shelves Are Alarming. But They're Not Permanent The sudden spike in demand driven by the coronavirus pandemic has meant shortages at many stores. But retailers say products will return to shelves and urge customers not to panic or hoard items. Camila Domonoske
CEO Of Ventilator-Making Company Says He Can Ramp Production Fivefold Ventec Life Systems CEO Chris Kiple claims his company could ramp up ventilator production fivefold if needed for coronavirus. NPR's Mary Louise Kelly asks him how — and if hospital staff are ready.
Jobless Claims Spike Throughout Country As Coronavirus Pauses Business States are now reporting a sudden, sharp spike in jobless claims as the coronavirus crisis stalls business around the country. Jim Zarroli
Small Businesses To Washington: Please Send Money Soon Or We Won't Survive Many small businesses have just a couple of weeks worth of cash on hand to pay rent and make payroll. Half of Americans own or work at a small business and they need help soon to stay afloat. Chris Arnold
Another Day, Another Direction For Stocks: Dow Down 1,200 Points The U.S. stock market dropped again Wednesday, with the Dow opening down nearly 6%. Vice President Pence tells NPR disruptions from the outbreak could continue until midsummer. Avie Schneider