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Making Sense Of Pandemic Stats
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The Indicator from Planet Money

Making Sense Of Pandemic Stats

Statistics and the information we get from them have a massive influence on our worldviews and the decisions we make, but how can we ensure we're interpreting them properly? Today, we find out.

Making Sense Of Pandemic Stats

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Companies Get Political
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The Indicator from Planet Money

Companies Get Political

Politics used to be off limits for most American companies — at least publicly. Most would usually take a neutral position when a big political story hit the news. But that has changed.

Companies Get Political

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Should The Government Pay People To Get Vaccinated? Some Economists Think So

Skepticism about COVID-19 vaccinations has prompted suggestions that the government should pay people to get the shots. (AP Photo/LM Otero) LM Otero/AP hide caption

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The Coronavirus Crisis

Should The Government Pay People To Get Vaccinated? Some Economists Think So

Dr. Anthony Fauci says the country will likely need a vaccination level of between 70% and 90% to reach herd immunity. Right now, that math doesn't quite add up.

Should The Government Pay People To Get Vaccinated? Some Economists Think So

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The SPAC Is Back!
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The Indicator from Planet Money

The SPAC Is Back!

Last year, more than half the firms that went public were special purpose acquisition companies, also known as SPACs. We explain what that means and how it impacts the world of finance.

The SPAC Is Back!

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Entrepreneurship On The Rise
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The Indicator from Planet Money

Entrepreneurship On The Rise

The coronavirus has been responsible for massive business closures...but at the same time, Americans are starting businesses at the fastest rate in more than a decade.

Entrepreneurship On The Rise

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Jobs Friday: Reversal In The Recovery
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The Indicator from Planet Money

Jobs Friday: Reversal In The Recovery

For the first time since April, the American economy lost jobs. Today, we break down the December jobs report and the slowing economic recovery.

Jobs Friday: Reversal In The Recovery

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How Political Instability Affects The Economy
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The Indicator from Planet Money

How Political Instability Affects The Economy

We're only seven days into the new year and we're off to a bumpy start. But as chaos rages through the capitol, the stock market and other signs of economic growth continue.

How Political Instability Affects The Economy

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Fear And Loaning
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The Indicator from Planet Money

Fear And Loaning

There's a fear radiating out from the commercial real estate market — a fear that some economists say could become a drag on any economic recovery. In fact, there's evidence it already has.

Fear And Loaning

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New Year, New Indicators

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The Indicator from Planet Money

New Year, New Indicators

2020 was a tough year for the economy. How different will 2021 be? Today on the show, we take a look at three of our favorite indicators for the new year.

New Year, New Indicators

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Hospitals Forced To Be More Transparent About Pricing. Will That Save You Money?

Hospitals must now post on their websites, in a consumer-friendly format, the specific costs for 300 common and "shoppable" services, such as having a baby, getting a joint replacement, having a hernia repaired or undergoing a diagnostic brain scan. FS Productions/Tetra images RF/Getty Images hide caption

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Shots - Health News

Hospitals Forced To Be More Transparent About Pricing. Will That Save You Money?

Kaiser Health News

Under a rule that kicked in Jan. 1, hospitals must now make public the prices they negotiate with health insurers. But health policy experts have divergent views on what that will mean for patients.

The Economy In 2030
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The Indicator from Planet Money

The Economy In 2030

What will the global economy look like in a decade? Mauro Guillen joins the show to talk about 2030, his new book where he analyzes the economic trends of the future.

The Economy In 2030

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How To Use Globalization To Fight Disease
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The Indicator from Planet Money

How To Use Globalization To Fight Disease

Globalization and urbanization historically have made the global economy more productive and efficient — and also more vulnerable to pandemics. But now they can be forces for good in the fight against pandemics.

How To Use Globalization To Fight Disease

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Why The Housing Market Is Booming In A Bad Economy
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The Indicator from Planet Money

Why The Housing Market Is Booming In A Bad Economy

The coronavirus pandemic has brought with it a massive economic downturn. Another thing it's brought: A booming housing market. We explain why. | Support The Indicator here.

Why The Housing Market Is Booming In A Bad Economy

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Why We Weren't Prepared For A Pandemic
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The Indicator from Planet Money

Why We Weren't Prepared For A Pandemic

We've had plenty of warnings over the years that we weren't ready for a pandemic. Today on the show: the psychology and economics of why.

Why We Weren't Prepared For A Pandemic

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The Strategic Value Of Rare Earths
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The Indicator from Planet Money

The Strategic Value Of Rare Earths

Rare earths are essential to a wide variety of strategically important components, but the vast majority of rare earths are produced by mines in China. That's something that the U.S. is working to correct.

The Strategic Value Of Rare Earths

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COVID-19 Relief Bill Could Stave Off Historic Wave Of Evictions

A protester holds up an eviction-related sign in Washington, D.C. The coronavirus rescue package just passed in Congress sets aside $25 billion for rental assistance and extends a CDC order aimed at preventing evictions. Jacquelyn Martin/AP hide caption

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Economy

COVID-19 Relief Bill Could Stave Off Historic Wave Of Evictions

A rental assistance program in the bill is key for helping millions of struggling renters at risk of losing their homes in the middle of winter as the pandemic rages on.

COVID-19 Relief Bill Could Stave Off Historic Wave Of Evictions

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Coming Back From Covid
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The Indicator from Planet Money

Coming Back From Covid

Chris Montana is a Minneapolis distillery owner whose business was destroyed in rioting early this year. Since then, he's committed himself to supporting local businesses and raised more than $770,000. | Support The Indicator here.

Coming Back From Covid

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The State Of The Arts
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The Indicator from Planet Money

The State Of The Arts

Morgan Gould is a playwright who talked with us in April about the cancellation of her play. She describes what life has been like for people who work in the arts during the pandemic. | Support The Indicator here.

The State Of The Arts

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The View From Beijing
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The Indicator from Planet Money

The View From Beijing

China effectively stopped the spread of the virus early in the global pandemic. Life there has subsequently been quite different this year. | Support public radio here.

The View From Beijing

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You Want To Move? Some Cities Will Pay You $10,000 To Relocate

Jaleesa Garland, a newcomer to Tulsa, Okla., after being accepted into the Tulsa Remote program. September Dawn Bottoms for NPR hide caption

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September Dawn Bottoms for NPR

Business

You Want To Move? Some Cities Will Pay You $10,000 To Relocate

Some cities and regions in the heartland want to bring energy and vitality to their towns by attracting dynamic workers. The programs are getting a lot of attention during the pandemic.

You Want To Move? Some Cities Will Pay You $10,000 To Relocate

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The Road To Bankruptcy
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The Indicator from Planet Money

The Road To Bankruptcy

When the pandemic hit, the government pumped large amounts of money into the economy. The support kept many families afloat, but for many small businesses, it wasn't enough. | Donate to your NPR member station here.

The Road To Bankruptcy

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