First-time unemployment claims doubled week-over-week, to 6.6 million. There are 100,00 crew members stuck on ships at sea during this pandemic. Some economists push for longer grace periods on debt repayment.
Does the COVID-19 economy need a widespread easing of debts? The official jobs report this week will not capture the entirety of the mess our economy is in.
Crews cannot disembark at some ports due to COVID-19 restrictions. Shipping industry leaders are concerned about workers’ welfare. The company offering free sneakers to health care workers.
ADP employment shows payrolls down by just 27,000 people in the last month. A fresh reading on U.S. factory activity. No reopening for Affordable Care Act enrollment. Crude oil prices down big. Car sales in the midst of COVID-19.
Monthly bills are due, but federal COVID-19 money isn’t expected for nearly three weeks. Two big British banks have halted profit payments to shareholders. What the $2 trillion stimulus law means for Boeing.
Business leaders say the Swedish government’s approach is more sensible than many other countries. Some British banks are suspending dividends. A Scottish distillery has switched to making hand sanitizer.
Emergency COVID-19 money should materialize in bank accounts within three weeks. What business activity in China is looking like. Unemployment forecasts. International students deal with campus shutdowns.
Given the virus, Macy’s is now furloughing most of its 125,000 employees. Amazon has fired the employee who organized a walk-out on Monday. Food pantries struggle with staffing and logistics.
While new data suggests China’s economy is rebounding, the rest of Asia faces “economic pain.” India mulls direct cash transfers to help migrant workers. Worries over COVID-19 are boosting local fish sales in Kenya.
Oil prices hit an 18-year low. Workers at an Amazon warehouse in Staten Island are planning a strike for Monday. How this “cancellation economy” is affecting places like the Coachella Valley in California.
