Welcome to our weekly newsletter highlighting the best of The Economist’s coverage of the covid-19 pandemic and its effects.
 

There are signs of hope in Shanghai, home to some 25m people who had been locked down for more than two months. Covid-related restrictions were eased this week, allowing most people to move freely around China’s financial hub. Beijing, the capital, reopened parts of its public transport as well as some malls, museums and the like. The focus now turns to the country’s economy. Our Free Exchange column considers whether China needs to spend more on infrastructure.  

Elsewhere, the pandemic’s impact is already fading. Our finance writers explain a crucial development for the global economy: a shift in spending from goods back to services, reversing a covid-era trend. This switch could ease pressure on global supply chains and lower inflation. 

In the Britain section, we ask what if the flu were treated more like covid? If ever there were a time to think differently about diseases, this is it. Experts worry that two years of low exposure to flu may have led to lower immunity, which could be a problem come winter. 

Our Culture section strikes a lighter note. On Thursday night the lights were low as ABBA, one of the most successful musical acts in history, returned to the stage—virtually. The group is hoping fans will take a chance on their new digital concert. The return of the super troupers cost £140m ($175m) and signals the rise of the work-from-home rockstar.