'Virus Throws Millions More Out of Work, and Washington Struggles to Keep Pace' diff viewer (13/14)

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Virus Throws Millions More Out of Work, and Washington Struggles to Keep Pace	Virus Throws Millions More Out of Work, and Washington Struggles to Keep Pace
2020-07-09 15:32:59 UTC	2020-07-16 11:10:16 UTC (7 days later)
WASHINGTON — When the federal government began rushing trillions of dollars of assistance to Americans crushed by the coronavirus pandemic, the hope was that some of the aid would allow businesses to keep workers on the payroll and cushion employees against job losses.	WASHINGTON — When the federal government began rushing trillions of dollars of assistance to Americans crushed by the coronavirus pandemic, the hope was that some of the aid would allow businesses to keep workers on the payroll and cushion employees against job losses.
But so far, a staggering number of Americans — more than 16 million — have lost their jobs amid the outbreak. Businesses continue to fail as retailers, restaurants, nail salons and other companies across the country run out of cash and close up shop as their customers are forced to stay at home.	But so far, a staggering number of Americans — more than 16 million — have lost their jobs amid the outbreak. Businesses continue to fail as retailers, restaurants, nail salons and other companies across the country run out of cash and close up shop as their customers are forced to stay at home.
There is a growing agreement among many economists that the government’s efforts were too small and came too late in the fast-moving pandemic to prevent businesses from abandoning their workers. Federal agencies, working in a prescribed partnership with Wall Street, have proved ill equipped to move money quickly to the places it is needed most.	There is a growing agreement among many economists that the government’s efforts were too small and came too late in the fast-moving pandemic to prevent businesses from abandoning their workers. Federal agencies, working in a prescribed partnership with Wall Street, have proved ill equipped to move money quickly to the places it is needed most.
An analysis by University of Chicago economists of data from Homebase, which supplies scheduling software for tens of thousands of small businesses that employ hourly workers in dining, retail and other sectors, suggests more than 40 percent of those firms have closed since the crisis began.	An analysis by University of Chicago economists of data from Homebase, which supplies scheduling software for tens of thousands of small businesses that employ hourly workers in dining, retail and other sectors, suggests more than 40 percent of those firms have closed since the crisis began.
The pandemic could cost the United States a quarter of its restaurants, said Cameron Mitchell, who owns and runs a chain of 21 restaurants in Ohio and has more across the country. He has furloughed all but six of the company’s 4,000 workers. “I’m not asking for a handout,” Mr. Mitchell said, but “we need some additional help, or else America’s not going to have a restaurant industry to come back to.”	The pandemic could cost the United States a quarter of its restaurants, said Cameron Mitchell, who owns and runs a chain of 21 restaurants in Ohio and has more across the country. He has furloughed all but six of the company’s 4,000 workers. “I’m not asking for a handout,” Mr. Mitchell said, but “we need some additional help, or else America’s not going to have a restaurant industry to come back to.”
His chain, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, had applied for a $10 million loan through Huntington National Bank but was awaiting confirmation from the Small Business Administration in Washington.	His chain, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, had applied for a $10 million loan through Huntington National Bank but was awaiting confirmation from the Small Business Administration in Washington.
Policymakers have tried to head off the economic devastation that businesses like Mr. Mitchell’s are now experiencing, but it has proved complicated. Congress and President Trump have already approved nearly $3 trillion in economic rescue packages aimed at countering the effects of the virus, including aid to companies that explicitly tries to keep workers tied to their jobs. The Federal Reserve has also created a flurry of new programs to keep the financial system from seizing up, including one effort announced Thursday that seeks to help nearly 19,000 businesses that have not otherwise obtained federal assistance.	Policymakers have tried to head off the economic devastation that businesses like Mr. Mitchell’s are now experiencing, but it has proved complicated. Congress and President Trump have already approved nearly $3 trillion in economic rescue packages aimed at countering the effects of the virus, including aid to companies that explicitly tries to keep workers tied to their jobs. The Federal Reserve has also created a flurry of new programs to keep the financial system from seizing up, including one effort announced Thursday that seeks to help nearly 19,000 businesses that have not otherwise obtained federal assistance.
But the federal government is not equipped to quickly establish or manage complex funding programs, and by the time policymakers began those efforts, it was already too late for some businesses.	But the federal government is not equipped to quickly establish or manage complex funding programs, and by the time policymakers began those efforts, it was already too late for some businesses.
Some companies have chosen to lay off workers, viewing that as a better option for them than keeping them on part time or paying just a fraction of their salaries. An expansion of unemployment benefits added $600 per week to the amount received by every laid-off American for the next four months, giving some companies an incentive to direct their workers to federal assistance.	Some companies have chosen to lay off workers, viewing that as a better option for them than keeping them on part time or paying just a fraction of their salaries. An expansion of unemployment benefits added $600 per week to the amount received by every laid-off American for the next four months, giving some companies an incentive to direct their workers to federal assistance.
For many workers — those who earn up to $1,200 a week, depending on the state — that additional benefit means their unemployment pay could exceed what they were earning on the job. The discrepancy could encourage some companies to furlough workers.	For many workers — those who earn up to $1,200 a week, depending on the state — that additional benefit means their unemployment pay could exceed what they were earning on the job. The discrepancy could encourage some companies to furlough workers.
Small-business aid from an initial $349 billion pot has been slow to arrive for many companies already staring down the possibility of bankruptcy, with bureaucratic and technological hurdles bedeviling the program. The Paycheck Protection Program — which offers companies forgivable loans to continue covering their payroll — began taking applications only on April 3, weeks after many merchants had been ordered to close their doors. Very little of the more than $100 billion committed through it so far has actually made it into borrowers’ hands.	Small-business aid from an initial $349 billion pot has been slow to arrive for many companies already staring down the possibility of bankruptcy, with bureaucratic and technological hurdles bedeviling the program. The Paycheck Protection Program — which offers companies forgivable loans to continue covering their payroll — began taking applications only on April 3, weeks after many merchants had been ordered to close their doors. Very little of the more than $100 billion committed through it so far has actually made it into borrowers’ hands.
Banks, which are expected to front the money for the program, are still battling bottlenecks at the overwhelmed Small Business Administration and are waiting for technical information they need to close and fund the loans. Smaller banks are on the verge of running out of cash to lend. They are relying on the Federal Reserve to quickly repurchase their paycheck program loans, which the Fed has said it will do, but it has not yet provided details on its plan.	Banks, which are expected to front the money for the program, are still battling bottlenecks at the overwhelmed Small Business Administration and are waiting for technical information they need to close and fund the loans. Smaller banks are on the verge of running out of cash to lend. They are relying on the Federal Reserve to quickly repurchase their paycheck program loans, which the Fed has said it will do, but it has not yet provided details on its plan.
A program aimed at keeping airline employees on the payrolls is also in a holding pattern, as the Treasury Department vets applications from airlines and prepares to negotiate what the government will receive in exchange for bailing them out.	A program aimed at keeping airline employees on the payrolls is also in a holding pattern, as the Treasury Department vets applications from airlines and prepares to negotiate what the government will receive in exchange for bailing them out.
And individual checks to help millions of Americans continue to pay bills are not expected to arrive until April 15, at the earliest	And individual checks to help millions of Americans continue to pay bills are not expected to arrive until April 15, at the earliest
Even the Fed’s “Main Street” lending program, announced Thursday, may prove insufficient for business needs. It operates through banks, so it still requires lenders to feel comfortable extending credit. And while they can sell most of the loans they originate — the Fed will buy 95 percent of eligible loans, up to $600 billion worth — the banks will still have to hang onto a tiny slice of risk. There is no clear date when the program will be up and running.	Even the Fed’s “Main Street” lending program, announced Thursday, may prove insufficient for business needs. It operates through banks, so it still requires lenders to feel comfortable extending credit. And while they can sell most of the loans they originate — the Fed will buy 95 percent of eligible loans, up to $600 billion worth — the banks will still have to hang onto a tiny slice of risk. There is no clear date when the program will be up and running.
Policymakers have moved faster, and appropriated far more money to combat the economic fallout from the pandemic, than American leaders did during the 2008 financial crisis, said Tony Fratto, who served in the George W. Bush administration during that crisis. But the response came too late to save many of the businesses that now face bankruptcy.	Policymakers have moved faster, and appropriated far more money to combat the economic fallout from the pandemic, than American leaders did during the 2008 financial crisis, said Tony Fratto, who served in the George W. Bush administration during that crisis. But the response came too late to save many of the businesses that now face bankruptcy.
“There’s creativity and there’s scale, and they’re trying to do it quickly,” Mr. Fratto said, “but they weren’t early enough, and there’s going to be a lot of damage because of that.”	“There’s creativity and there’s scale, and they’re trying to do it quickly,” Mr. Fratto said, “but they weren’t early enough, and there’s going to be a lot of damage because of that.”
Lawmakers have agreed they will need to approve larger sums of money to help smaller businesses. But an effort by Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, to speed an additional $250 billion through the Senate failed on Thursday when Democrats objected because they wanted Mr. McConnell to tack on assistance to hospitals and local governments.	Lawmakers have agreed they will need to approve larger sums of money to help smaller businesses. But an effort by Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, to speed an additional $250 billion through the Senate failed on Thursday when Democrats objected because they wanted Mr. McConnell to tack on assistance to hospitals and local governments.
~~Updated July 7, 2020~~
The coronavirus can stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale, mounting scientific evidence suggests. This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may help explain super-spreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants. It’s unclear how often the virus is spread via these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech. Aerosols are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings, according to Dr. Marr and more than 200 other experts, who have outlined the evidence in an open letter to the World Health Organization.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
Senators and advocacy groups have begun to push additional measures to bolster companies through the pandemic. Senator Josh Hawley, Republican of Missouri, wrote on Thursday that “the federal government should cover 80 percent of wages for workers at any U.S. business, up to the national median wage, until this emergency is over.”	Senators and advocacy groups have begun to push additional measures to bolster companies through the pandemic. Senator Josh Hawley, Republican of Missouri, wrote on Thursday that “the federal government should cover 80 percent of wages for workers at any U.S. business, up to the national median wage, until this emergency is over.”
Senator Ron Wyden, Democrat of Oregon, said the government should provide cash assistance of up to $75,000 each for businesses that employ 50 workers or less. The Economic Innovation Group, a think tank in Washington that has pushed lawmakers to aid small businesses during the crisis, called on Congress to amend the program by adding more money to it, allowing individual businesses to borrow more and removing limits on spending from the loans for expenses other than payroll — like rent.	Senator Ron Wyden, Democrat of Oregon, said the government should provide cash assistance of up to $75,000 each for businesses that employ 50 workers or less. The Economic Innovation Group, a think tank in Washington that has pushed lawmakers to aid small businesses during the crisis, called on Congress to amend the program by adding more money to it, allowing individual businesses to borrow more and removing limits on spending from the loans for expenses other than payroll — like rent.
Mr. Mitchell, the restaurant owner, also said he would like to see the spending limits for loans tweaked and the timeline for spending loan funds relaxed.	Mr. Mitchell, the restaurant owner, also said he would like to see the spending limits for loans tweaked and the timeline for spending loan funds relaxed.
Other countries have taken more direct steps to prevent the type of mass unemployment and widespread collapse of companies now facing the United States.	Other countries have taken more direct steps to prevent the type of mass unemployment and widespread collapse of companies now facing the United States.
France, Germany and a number of other European countries are paying employers not to lay people off by footing the bill for 80 to 90 percent of a furloughed worker’s salary.	France, Germany and a number of other European countries are paying employers not to lay people off by footing the bill for 80 to 90 percent of a furloughed worker’s salary.
The idea is to limit layoffs and company closures, so that when the coronavirus is finally under control, Europe’s businesses and economies can rebound from the recession with less pain than if unemployment had been allowed to soar.	The idea is to limit layoffs and company closures, so that when the coronavirus is finally under control, Europe’s businesses and economies can rebound from the recession with less pain than if unemployment had been allowed to soar.
More than seven million employees in France have been put on paid furlough directly financed by the government, which is spending 45 billion euros to keep workers employed and companies afloat. Use of Germany’s paid furlough program is also soaring, with nearly a half-million firms filing for support in March, including Daimler, Volkswagen and Lufthansa.	More than seven million employees in France have been put on paid furlough directly financed by the government, which is spending 45 billion euros to keep workers employed and companies afloat. Use of Germany’s paid furlough program is also soaring, with nearly a half-million firms filing for support in March, including Daimler, Volkswagen and Lufthansa.
Congress seems unlikely to adopt a similar program, or even something akin to what Mr. Hawley proposed on Thursday. And while Mr. Trump has promised a “boom” in the economy in the weeks to come — foreshadowing a push to lift the restrictions officials have placed on activity — many economists disagree.	Congress seems unlikely to adopt a similar program, or even something akin to what Mr. Hawley proposed on Thursday. And while Mr. Trump has promised a “boom” in the economy in the weeks to come — foreshadowing a push to lift the restrictions officials have placed on activity — many economists disagree.