1. Set Focus
Pose this essential question: What shapes the economy?
2. Read and Discuss
Have students read the article, marking key ideas and questions. Then ask them to answer the following questions, citing text evidence:
- The author says that Covid-19 might change our economy in ways that could be painful but also beneficial. What does the author mean by “painful”? How might a change be both painful and beneficial? (By “painful,” the author means causing financial hardship. One example is a reduction in business travel, which could cause financial problems for airlines but be beneficial to companies, as they would spend less on travel.)
- What two points of view are presented in the article about how the pandemic might affect where we live? Which do you think is the stronger viewpoint? Why? (One point of view is that the growing acceptance of remote work will prompt people to leave cities for rural areas, which are more affordable. The other point of view is that, ultimately, the desire to have ideas and talent clustered together will keep people in cities. Opinions will vary.)