The nation’s fledgling economic recovery is losing momentum, as a new wave of coronavirus infections causes businesses to scale back or reshutter in several big states and consumers to retreat anew.

Many big lenders are not openly willing to make loans to new customers through the Federal Reserve’s program for midsize businesses.

Mixed messaging and politicization have turned a public health safeguard into the latest challenge for low-wage workers.

An op-ed from a fellow at the Aspen Institute sees the pandemic as an opportunity to update benefits and safety nets for gig workers – an increasingly growing sector of the labor force.