Is it time to up our mask game? What you need to know about alternative lenders; CBC's Marketplace Cheat Sheet

Miss something this week? Don't panic. CBC'sMarketplacerounds up the consumer and health news you need.

Want this in your inbox?Get theMarketplacenewsletter every Friday.

Why you might want to start wearing better masks even outdoors

The spread of more contagious coronavirus variants in Canada amid already high levels of COVID-19 makes it a critical time to think about the masks we wear. Whether that means finding better quality masks, doubling up on masks, or wearing them in settings we wouldn't normally think to, experts say it's time we step up our game.Read more

Back in the fall, beforethe new variants were discovered,Marketplacetested over 20 different masksto determine which ones best protect you from the novel coronavirus.

Why two masks can boost protection against COVID-19 variants

4 years ago

Duration 15:14

Double masking is growing in popularity with rising concerns over COVID-19 variants. Are two masks necessary? What's the safest way to wear them? Emergency physician Dr. Shazma Mithani walks through the different types of masks and how and where we should wear them.

TD customers in several provinces hit with fraudulent DoorDash debit charges

Many of us have been ordering in more often during the pandemic, but when Karen Lee got hit with $157 in DoorDash charges to her TD debit card in late December, she knew immediately she was a victim of fraud. DoorDash doesn't even serve her area.

Lee was one of six people CBC News spoke with who said they found fraudulent charges to DoorDash on their bank accounts. TD says it investigated the fraudulent charges andthe issue has been resolved, and DoorDash said it's working closely with TD "to help support and facilitate reimbursements." It's still unclear who is behind the scam. Read more

Copycat pot edibles that look like candy are poisoning kids, doctors say

Can you spot the difference? The package on the right is regular candy, while the other contains enough THC to seriously harm an adult. As Go Public reports, pot-laced edibles made to look like candy sold on the black market are leading to poisonings in children, raising questions about why websites are allowed to sell the illegal products.Read more

Ontario health experts demand province abolish for-profit long-term care

With hundreds of Ontario long-term care residents dead and COVID-19 outbreaks continuing to ravage facilities across the province, a group of health experts is pushing the province to abolish for-profit long-term care facilities.Read more

Back in December, Marketplace listed thenursing home chains that have thehighest COVID-19 death rates in Ontario.

What else is going on?

Hamilton schools have bullying problem and 'culture of fear,' says report after teen's death
The Safe Schools Review panel hopes schools across the country can learn from the report.

Air Transat cancelling all flights out of Toronto for duration of winter season
The airline will continue to operate flights from Montreal to sixinternational destinations.

Be careful with animal traps, dog owner pleads after tragic death of her pet
Use safer traps and put up warning signs, Winnipeg woman says after watching her dog die.

How households navigate the pandemic
From rooming with a front-line worker to living in a multi-generational home, no pandemic experience is the same.

This week on Marketplace

Do you have bills you can't pay off?

Money Mart, Cash Money, Easyfinancial and Fairstone Financial offer thousands of dollars in long-term loans at high interest rates.

With the cost of borrowing at historic lows, we dig into how these alternative lenders are able to charge between 30 and 50 per cent interest. And, we uncover whether you're really told everything you need to know when you sign up for these loans.

Watch our hidden camera investigation on CBC Gem.

-TheMarketplaceteam

Marketplace needs your help

We're going on a journey to learn more about headlights and we want to take you with us. Have you ever wondered about your car headlights and how well they light your drive? Marketplace wants you and your car for a local GTHA segment! Please contacttyana.grundig@cbc.ca

Are you a victim of the bank investigator scam?Have you paid hundreds, even thousands of dollars to someone claiming your bank account has been hacked or there is suspicious activity on your credit card? If so, we want to hear from you. Reach out to usatmarketplace@cbc.ca

Catch up on past episodes ofMarketplaceanytime on CBC Gem.