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USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION
Inside Big retailers adjust to nation’s new needs A look at Walmart, Lowe’s, Walgreens and CVS. 8
Stepping up to supply essential items In demand: PPE, sanitizers, disinfectants, ventilators and more — plus efficient ways to distribute them. 12
Don’t let your tech get infected, either Working from home? Know the tools to stay safe. 24
Home tests seen as key to COVID control Federal approval will be tough to get, however. 38
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Maribel Perez Wadsworth Publisher and President, USA TODAY Network
Nicole Carroll Editor in Chief
Patty Michalski Executive Editor
Issue editor Lori Santos
Issue photo editor Emily Johnson
Issue designer Bill Campling
Ordinary people, extraordinary compassion
Design manager
Kindness makes it all just a little more bearable. 56
Unions look out for essential workers Organized labor makes safety a top priority. 66
Economic recovery, spelled with a ‘K’ COVID pulled the rug out from under some companies, while others are thriving as a direct result of it. 76
Amazon can be lifeline for entrepreneurs In a pandemic, the ability to sell online is critical. 88
Wishing for ‘normal’ just makes it worse Stay strong and think positive — but be realistic. 98
Holiday travel is all up in the air Fares are low, but this year it’s all about the risks. 108
Jennifer Herrmann
Race toward a vaccine moves at ‘Warp Speed’
ISSN#0734-7456 A USA TODAY Publication, Gannett Co. Inc. USA TODAY, its logo and associated graphics are registered trademarks. All rights reserved. Editorial and publication headquarters are at 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22108.
The government has put billions behind the push, but the scientists and companies working to conquer COVID-19 aren’t really in it for money. They’re just as affected as the rest of us.
Santa Claus is coming to ... Zoom? Kriss Kringle getting creative this holiday season. 114
About the cover Design: Jerald Council, creative director, USA TODAY Magazines.
Creativity abounds in virtual classrooms
No one’s going back to the old office
Theme parks could inflate magic bubble
COVID-19 disrupted the end of one school year and the start of another. But it couldn’t stifle enterprising educators’ commitment to the students they love. 28
When workplaces reopen, they’ll be profoundly and permanently changed. Expect less-crowded spaces and more-flexible arrangements for people working from home. 92
Rather than requiring masks and distancing everywhere inside, the solution might be to test everyone at the gate (and make it fun), amusement designer says. 104
Images: 1. Nicholas McTaggart restocks the shelves at Phantom Fireworks in Hinsdale, New Hampshire on June 24. By Kristopher Radder/The Brattleboro Reformer via AP. 2. By Getty Images. 3. Students follow along with online lessons Sept. 10 at a tutoring center in Culver City, California. Schools districts across the country grappled with the question of whether to attempt to reopen in the fall, remain online-ony, or adopt a hybrid learning model. By
AMERICA RECOVERS 2020
1 2 3 4 5 6 A Resilient Nation NEW NORMAL Homeschooling and remote work
EVERYDAY HEROES Front-line workers keep our communities safe
FIGHTING VIRUS Efforts to mitigate COVID-19 underway
Road to Recovery
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images. 4. By Getty Images. 5. By Getty Images. 6. By Getty Images.