Scott Horsley

The economy contracted in the first quarter of 2020 as the coronavirus began to take its toll and spending dived. It's the first quarterly drop in six years and a likely precursor to a deep recession.

NPR's chief economics correspondent updates the situation with federal small business loans and answers listener questions about what to expect after the pandemic is over.

Restrictions at local hospitals meant Will Thompson hasn't been able to accompany his wife to her prenatal doctor's visits, including one where they expected to learn their baby's gender.

Maxwell Kirsner built sets for big events. Then he, his fiancée and their coworkers were laid off. Kirsner says he's optimistic the city will make it back, but he's worried how long that will take.

Edward Barry and his team worked hard to give their customers a head start. The Small Business Administration is resuming its emergency loan program for small businesses with an extra $320 billion.

Businesses desperate for financial aid have exhausted a $349 billion federal loan program. Banks and businesses will now vie for a second round of funding before the money runs out.

Two weeks after Perla Pimentel was laid off, her father lost his job as a transportation contractor for Disney World. The warehouse where her mom works has also begun to furlough employees.

NPR's global economics correspondent talks about the new relief package passed by the Senate, updates the latest unemployment numbers and answers listener questions about the economy.

In the last month, the coronavirus pandemic has claimed the jobs of one in six workers in the United States. NPR economic, science and congressional correspondents discuss the latest coronavirus news.

David Roode's musical career went abruptly on hold when stay-at-home orders took effect. He predicts that when the crisis passes, people will want to enjoy the experience of attending concerts again.

Angelita Wynn was driving kids back home on her afternoon run one day in March when she got word she was losing her job. With her savings dwindling, "it has led to sleepless nights and anxious days."

The new federal benefit is designed to cushion the blow of the pandemic. But some businesses that want to stay open say it's hard to do so when employees can make more money by staying home.

Although millions of Americans are out of work or working from home, many are still working at factories nationwide. They have some lessons on what it will take to "reopen" the country safely.

While millions of Americans are out of work or working from home, millions more are working at factories nationwide, and they have some lessons for us on what it means to "reopen" the country.

Ten years of U.S. job growth has been almost wiped out in 4 weeks. Another 5.24 million people filed for unemployment last week. It brings the total from the past four weeks to 22.03 million.

NPR's chief economics correspondent takes listener questions about the state of the economy and economic relief measures during the pandemic.

NPR economic, science and diplomatic reporters recap the latest developments in the response to the coronavirus pandemic in the United States.

The Treasury has begun sending $1,200 relief payments to people economically affected by the coronavirus. The IRS set up a website for those who haven't already supplied their bank information.

The fallout from the coronavirus will be much worse than that of the financial crisis, the IMF says. The global economy is expected to shrink by 3% this year; the U.S. GDP could fall twice as much.

The U.S. economy reels from the coronavirus, leaving one out of 10 workers without a job. Though still in shock, some are beginning to look ahead to life after the pandemic.