In some ways, we have two different Virginias that live side-by-side. On one side, white-collar workers who have adjusted to the pandemic with Zoom meetings and social distancing; on the other, blue-collar workers who have faced losses of their jobs, healthcare, housing, and economic stability in the face of a global pandemic.

But COVID-19 has only exacerbated trends that have plagued Virginia for forty years, if not the state's entire history. This week, we spoke with journalist Peter Galuszka about the growing divide in Virginia's economy, and UVA Professor James Harrigan about the economic trends that have heightened income inequality nationwide for the last forty years.