Why hand sanitizers keep being recalled; COVID-19's effect on small business: CBC's Marketplace cheat sheet

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Over 50 hand sanitizers have been recalled by Health Canada

Not all hand sanitizers are effective against COVID-19, and some even include ingredients that may cause skin irritation, eye irritation, upper respiratory system irritation and headaches. Read more about what to look for when purchasing hand sanitizers to help protect you from the novel coronavirus.

Most consumers want to buy local, but it's tough to resist deals during a pandemic

Many of us are being urged to shop local and support small businesses struggling to survive in the wake of COVID-19. But while polls show that most Canadians support this idea, experts say it's hard to get consumers to prioritize shopping locally when they can often secure better deals online from big-box stores. And with more and more people facing financial insecurity, it can be difficult to make decisions based on things other than price. Read more about the challenges facing small businesses.

Evan Mitsui/CBC
Evan Mitsui/CBC

Everything you need to know about using face masks properly

Now that wearing a mask is an everyday activity for most Canadians, it's a good time to make sure we're using them effectively. For example, pulling a mask down to your chin in between uses might be convenient, but experts say that's not a good idea. Get answers to your burning questions about masks here.

Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press
Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press

It doesn't look likely that the Canada-US border will open any time soon.

With COVID-19 cases still rising in many American states, the border closure is set to continue. "There's really no reason why the Canadian government, at this point, would want to open it up and subject Canadians to an increased rate of COVID infections," says U.S. immigration lawyer Len Saunders. Canadians can still fly to the U.S., but that rule isn't reciprocal. U.S. visitors remain prohibited from entering Canada via any mode of transport unless they're visiting immediate family members, including dependent children, spouses, and common-law partners. Read more about where the status of the border here.

Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press
Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press

What else is going on?

Opinion: Virtual care can make all the difference when treating the most vulnerable patients Beyond the pandemic, we need to ensure virtual medicine remains a permanent fixture of our health-care system, writes Dr. Lester Liao.

Sales at Tim Hortons owner fell 31% during pandemic, Restaurant Brands earnings show But the owner of Tim Hortons, Burger King, and Popeyes says sales are now back to 90% of what they were before.

Salmonella outbreak in Canada linked to American red onions Health officials are urging retailers and restaurants in some provinces to not use, sell or serve red onions imported from the U.S.

Marketplace needs your help

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Many of us are looking to get our driveways freshly paved this summer, but not all contractors are created equal. Have you had a challenging experience with a paving contractor? Or has a door-to-door contractor taken your money and not finished the job? Tell us your story at marketplace@cbc.ca.

David Abrahams/CBC
David Abrahams/CBC

Do you have a buzzworthy product that you think is bogus? Whether you've seen products that seem too good to be true on Instagram, trendy items on TikTok, or fishy ones on Facebook, we want to hear about it. Email us at marketplace@cbc.ca.

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