Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #74

[MimosaMornings]

Doesn’t look like self-employed/contract workers are included in receiving UI in the next round either.

 

[Reasonable & Just]

Leadership Lessons from the Back of a Harley

Thank you! I personally don't have a reason to be confident in their numbers, but I appreciate the sourcing.

 

[mickey2942]

I'm just curious. Not trying to be offensive.

Just how much do people here and elsewhere think is reasonable to give people *total* for unemployment? People around here hit the jackpot with the last windfall. There were businesses begging for employees but they can't compete with unemployment benefits.

The issue is complex, because some states have very low unemployment insurance benefit amounts, Florida the highest benefit is less than $350 a week. The "bonus" money from UI was meant to help out higher wage earners, to pay mortgage, other bills.

The real problem is that many jobs are not coming back, especially the high wage jobs. It is a joke when the fed states that there was "job growth" last quarter. An Instacart position is hardly the same as being a manager of a bar.

 

[Rose in SC]

Promising report in South Carolina today! Let's hope it continues!

SC health officials announce fewer than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases for first time in 30 days

100,431 confirmed positive cases (+718) -

1,966 confirmed deaths (+17)

"Total Tests Received" - 849,117
Percent Positive - 12.8 % - One percent less than yesterday - I'll take it!

ETA: Similar report with a little extra details at this link: As SC sees drop in COVID-19 cases, percent positive also down Monday

 

[Simply Southern]

How is the executive order deferring payroll taxes supposed to help the coronavirus unemployment level of those who are not employed? Unemployment can mean not enough food for kids, eviction. God help them.

As many as 85% of independent restaurants may permanently close because of the pandemic by the end of 2020, according to a report commissioned by the Independent Restaurant Coalition.

A grim prognosis for clothing retailers came from Betsey Stevenson, former economist at the Labor Department. Employment in clothing stores is up 202K! But it’s still down 40% compared to last year,” she wrote. “Many of those jobs are never coming back.”

Hospitality and tourism listings on Indeed plummeted 61% compared to last year. “These are jobs that will be hard to see demand picking up with all the restrictions we have,” Indeed economist research director Nick Bunker told us.

Deferring payroll tax will not impact unemployment. Medicare and SS are not deducted from unemployment.

It will help working Americans, providing a 7.65% increase to disposable income, especially low income workers. An extra 30 to 50 bucks a week can help. Alot of our low income are working in essential businesses meat and food plants, nursing homes, child care centers, farmers, the list is endless. These folks, IMHO deserve every dime we can afford them!!!

Yes, restaurants and retail businesses may not recover and for those that do, competition will be stiff. I have to face fact, the market has shifted. Some of us are afraid to eat out. Folks, even those that can afford aren't eating out and buying clothes. They are hopefully saving money to help weather the financial crisis. I know I am.

No, it's not fair, yes it's devastating. No one wants to loose their business. Can/should tax payers support industries for the next 3 to 5 years, knowing the market will not recover? Yes, thats how long it will take, IF we have a vaccine. Once folks are able to go back to work it will take months to catch up financially.

This is not a post most will like, I don't even like it, as I write. But at some point we have to face our future for the next few years.

Moo...we need a to provide retraining, education, or grants for new businesses that are in demand during the pandemic. Cleaning business, child care centers, manufacturing, medical industry have experienced extraordinary growth we need to look for avenues to redirect our businesses into products/services that are in demand.


Moo....and lots a sadness for all our business owners who have worked so hard, poured life saving, blood, sweat and tears, to achieve success and life long dreams. Heartbreaking....

 

[MimosaMornings]

More teens in Michigan test positive for COVID-19 after proms and parties as schools nationwide begin reopening — USA TODAY

“The rules loosened, and the party planning began.

Unofficial proms, grad parties, sleepovers, yard parties, gatherings at the lake and just hanging out with friends.

The problem is, health officials say, mask-wearing and social distancing went out the window. Now, they are seeing the number of positive COVID-19 cases in younger people on the rise in Michigan – as well as spots across the United States and the world.”

“Kayleigh Blaney, an epidemiologist with Michigan's Oakland County Health Division agreed.

“You're not gonna stop kids 15 to 19 who are not in school, with nothing to do, from hanging out with each other," she said. "People are itching to get back to normal. I understand completely. I would love to get back to our old normal in time, but we are pushing ourselves to being more restricted again.”
——-
Wouldn’t you know if your kid got dressed up to go to a prom? Be gone all day for a pong party? Or come home with wet hair and bathing suit from a lake party? Check their social media much?

Where do these people think their kids are?
Just a short ride to the quickie mart to get a slurpee?

 

[Rose in SC]

SOUTH CAROLINA
Of course, there are always scammers about, waiting to take advantage of people.
DHEC encourages citizens to respond to authentic COVID-19 contact tracers as scammers surface


And Governor McMaster wants DHEC (Department of Health and Environmental Control) to keep track of cases in schools as they prepare to reopen.
SC governor asks health agency to track COVID-19 cases in schools

 

[Simply Southern]

The unemployed should be getting unemployment plus the (now) extra $300-400 per week. Most people's rent does not exceed their disposable income when they're working. I'm baffled as to how rent is not being paid. Jmo

Rent, mortgage should not exceed 30% of AFTER tax income.

Virginia unemployed 388. plus the previous 600. That's almost double what the average employee makes.
$ 24.70 PER HOUR.

24.70 per hour
988. Weekly
3952 monthly

1185. 60 is 30% of the Monthly VA unemployment benefit. Even in our metro areas 1k for a house or apartment is alot.

I'm not understanding not paying rent either, especially for those in low income housing, who's income is an established SSI, SSDA, SSA monthly check, that was NOT impacted.

Those making 12 to 15 per hour, could have paid their rent months in advance had they used the extra money and the stimulus check wisely. Now cities are establishing funds with millions in rental assistance for evictions.


When we look at the math its a whole different picture.

Moo...

 

[Simply Southern]

The issue is complex, because some states have very low unemployment insurance benefit amounts, Florida the highest benefit is less than $350 a week. The "bonus" money from UI was meant to help out higher wage earners, to pay mortgage, other bills.

The real problem is that many jobs are not coming back, especially the high wage jobs. It is a joke when the fed states that there was "job growth" last quarter. An Instacart position is hardly the same as being a manager of a bar.

Virginia pays 388.00.

Even at 350. Per week plus the 600. 950. 00 per week.

23.75 Per hour
950.00 Per week
3800.00 per Month
45,600 per year

I agree, many high paying jobs are not coming back. Just like when textiles manufacturing was exported overseas, millions in the south lost their jobs. Good jobs, making 20 to 30 per hour in production without even a high school education. The auto industry experienced job lost to export of labor. The coal mines, steel mills, tobacco farmers, the list is endless of industries that have experience major, life changing employment shifts.

The government offered 2 years of unemployment if enrolled in a college or trade school, paid tuition, books, health insurance and even a gas allowance. Some took advantage of this and created a new productive life and future for their family. Some did not.

Sadly, folks will either shift to a new job/trade with lower income and have to start over or not. Those that make the jump early, IMJO will have the best choice of jobs and recovering financially.

MOO

 

[CSIDreamer]

Perhaps businesses need to pay a living wage, then.

I don't disagree. But that has nothing to do with extended unemployment benefits or my question.

 

[Simply Southern]

Promising report in South Carolina today! Let's hope it continues!

SC health officials announce fewer than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases for first time in 30 days

100,431 confirmed positive cases (+718) -

1,966 confirmed deaths (+17)

"Total Tests Received" - 849,117
Percent Positive - 12.8 % - One percent less than yesterday - I'll take it!

ETA: Similar report with a little extra details at this link: As SC sees drop in COVID-19 cases, percent positive also down Monday

Great news, 1% decrease is promising. I'm pulling hard for SC, lots of friends there and I look forward to the day I can spend my days in Myrtle beach and Hilton Head, two of my happy places.

I'm grateful for even small gains/successes. Good news lifts the spirit

 

[mommadukes]

Florida’s maximum for its highest wage earners is $275.
Florida’s unemployment benefits: We answer your questions

 

[Simply Southern]

I'm just curious. Not trying to be offensive.

Just how much do people here and elsewhere think is reasonable to give people *total* for unemployment? People around here hit the jackpot with the last windfall. There were businesses begging for employees but they can't compete with unemployment benefits.

Seeing the same thing in Virginia and NC.

Job fairs, companies offering sign on bonuses, and no one wants to work.

A neighboring town is trying to hire 1000 workers in child care. Since schools are online, YMCA, private day cares, Boys and Girls Clubs are setting up sites for working parents child care. They are using churches, gyms, any large building to provide computer access, assistance with learning, meals and safe social distancing. Its amazing to me that non profits will limited income/resources are able to provide education centers for working parents, when our schools wouldn't.

Our school couldn't do this and they were given millions in CARES money.

 

[tresir2012]

They are getting tons of free publicity out of this, so I doubt that it will hurt the ride for upcoming years, even if 10% of the riders die of Covid. :/ Right now, I expect they are viewed by the rest of the world as the stupidest people on the planet.

How do you get the 10% dying figure, out of interest? That would be 25,000 .

 

[oviedo]

Most people were furloughed, meaning they still were able to keep their benefits and have income at a massive $1300 a week.

My firm decided to get the PPP loan (to line their own pockets). With that, they paid our salary from March to June, then forced us back to work as soon as the State legally opened.

Once we returned, they told us that they'll need to let go of a few people because of the slowdown in business and the fact that they realize people can work remotely and do multiple tasks.

With that, they "laid off" their first employee last week. Gave her a benefits package and severance.

I am assuming that's how they are able to reduce the workforce while still legally letting people go. From what I understand, they were supposed to keep employees gainfully employed while taking PPP money. Their loophole seems to be providing "severance".

the 8 weeks to use up the PPP lengthened to 24 weeks so now employers can lay off the employees and still get 100% forgiveness if they stretch out their PPP money. When it was just the 8 weeks - they had to keep their headcount and spend 75% of the PPP on payroll alone. The rules changed and now employers have a lot more leeway to use that money and still have it forgiven. I expect we will see a lot more layoffs now. sigh.
IMO

 

[Simply Southern]

I don't get it. Why wouldn't a person just stay inside their home?

It's more than quarantine. We are experiencing financial devastation, social unrest, riots, rebellions and possible martial law.

It more about surviving what could/may happen than quarantine and protecting their families from physical harm.

Moo....

 

[tresir2012]

From that link, no way is the average rider at Sturgis 23 years old.
____

Survey figures from 2019:

City of Sturgis Holds Post-Rally Summit

The following information about attendees is based on 3,724 random surveys that were conducted immediately prior to and during the 10-day event.

• Average age of attendees in 2019 was 54.
  
  
• 57% of attendees previously attended the Rally at least 5 times.
  
  
• 23% of attendees were here for the first time in 2019.
  
  
• 81% of those surveyed, plan to return in 2020.
  
  
• The majority of visitors stayed in the Black Hills area 4-6 days.
  
  
• Over 48% of attendees stayed at a campground. 18% stayed in a hotel/motel.
  
  
• 54% of attendees stated they rode their motorcycle to the event.
  
  
• 12% of attendees do not currently own a motorcycle.

Copy and pasted from Rocco's link it says this.

"Take the demographic makeup of the rally itself, as an example. According to the Sturgis website, The Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club, the non-profit organization that founded Sturgis in 1938, has 150 members. The average age of rally spectators is 42 and the average age of riders is 23. Put another way, Sturgis is a mid-sized organization made up of Gen Xers and Millennials, just like much of the workforce."

 

[Trino]

The unemployed should be getting unemployment plus the (now) extra $300-400 per week. Most people's rent does not exceed their disposable income when they're working. I'm baffled as to how rent is not being paid. Jmo

Not necessarily.
In Executive Actions, Trump Extends Some Unemployment Benefits, Defers Payroll Taxes
How long the program actually lasts, though, may depend on how high unemployment remains. Under the executive action, the supplemental weekly unemployment benefits would be available for eligible unemployed Americans through the week ending Sunday, December 6, 2020, or until the balance of the Department of Homeland Security’s Disaster Relief Fund falls to $25 billion (from roughly $70 billion), whichever occurs first.
Payroll taxes fund Medicare and Social Security, and this deferral won't do anything to help the millions of Americans currently unemployed.

Rent, mortgage should not exceed 30% of AFTER tax income.

Virginia unemployed 388. plus the previous 600. That's almost double what the average employee makes.
$ 24.70 PER HOUR.

24.70 per hour
988. Weekly
3952 monthly

1185. 60 is 30% of the Monthly VA unemployment benefit. Even in our metro areas 1k for a house or apartment is alot.

I'm not understanding not paying rent either, especially for those in low income housing, who's income is an established SSI, SSDA, SSA monthly check, that was NOT impacted.

Those making 12 to 15 per hour, could have paid their rent months in advance had they used the extra money and the stimulus check wisely. Now cities are establishing funds with millions in rental assistance for evictions.
When we look at the math its a whole different picture. Moo...

This is NOT going to work.
States can count their existing payments toward their $100 match of unemployment benefits under the plan announced by President Donald Trump on Saturday, according to a Department of Labor guidance obtained by CNN.
n Sunday, the Department of Labor offered another option: States can count their existing weekly unemployment payments as their cost share requirement.
"This option requires no new expenditures of state funds beyond what the state would already be paying out from state funds in regular unemployment compensation benefits," the email said.
Unemployment benefits: Jobless may only see $300 federal boost under new Labor Department guidance - CNNPolitics

 

[Tony1902]

@Jersey girl
¡¡Ay Dios mio!! What a gorgeous man, and oddly enough, he belongs to a special Spanish religious society and the parades/events on their holy days do get a bit emotional. But then I do just looking at him.

 

[Simply Southern]

Don't unemployed people have to pay for COBRA benefits? Those aren't cheap, yet you need health insurance during a pandemic.

Maybe they were behind on their rent to begin with. They definitely had debt to pay down. It must be hard to be a working person, and see that the elites in power dealt themselves PPP funds and actually made money during this time, yet the working poor are the pundits' favorite target for wastefulness and hedonism.

All that are laid off are eligible for insurance under the affordable care act.

The problem arises with the large unemployment weekly benefit. ACA insurance is income based. The more you make, the more you pay.

Many low wage employees qualify for ACA at zero dollars or Medicaid. Many have lost food stamp benefits, seen increases in government sliding scale rental programs, and now may have to pay for insurance.

I'm one of the "go to volunteers" who help those in my community apply for and renew benefits. Some are choosing to go back to work in order to keep Medicaid and low income housing especially with disable children than receive the extended unemployment benefit.