Socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic increased the amount of money spent through cashless payments, like credit cards and aps, over cash, meaning coins and paper bills.  The United Nations and many specific countries, such as Kenya and Sweden, encouraged people to pay for things without using cash.  Physical coins and bills can carry germs.  Credit cards and aps make it easier for people to pay for things without touching other people.  This means that the store or other seller must pay a fee to the credit card company or app company.