COVID-19

How the U.S. economic response could change as people go back to work

Despite the drop in the unemployment rate in May, many economists feel further aid is needed. As Congress debates whether to allocate further relief to shore up the U.S. economy and get workers back on their feet, the unemployment rate has suddenly and unexpectedly fallen. Here’s a look at how the new numbers are shaping …

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Surprise unemployment drop sparks debate over how fast the economy will rally

The rate reflects parts of the economy reopening in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. An unexpected drop in the unemployment rate set off a fresh round of debate on Friday over how fast the economy can rebound from the coronavirus pandemic and how much the government should intervene to help. The unemployment rate fell …

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Democrats say DOL keeping workers in the dark about paid leave

“They’re not stupid,” Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) said. “They know how to get the word out. They just don’t want to.” An Indiana truck driver denied paid leave while experiencing coronavirus symptoms. An Arizona HVAC employee paid for just two of 13 days spent in self-quarantine. A California USPS worker rejected for paid leave when caring for her child whose school …

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Unemployment drops in May to 13.3 percent as states reopen

The rate reflects parts of the economy reopening in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The unemployment rate dropped to 13.3 percent in May, amid a push for a reopening economic rally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. The economy gained 2.2 million jobs last month, as states started relaxing stay-at-home orders and opening for business. …

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The Food Industry’s Next Covid-19 Victims: Migrant Farmworkers

Outbreaks have begun at farms around the country, thanks in large part to crowded employer-provided housing. AVON, N.Y.—Luis Jimenez, 35, works 66 hours a week tending hundreds of calves at a dairy in upstate New York. He sends $800 home to his parents and eight siblings in Oaxaca, Mexico, every two weeks. “We want to …

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New unemployment claims rose by 1.9 million last week

The coronavirus pandemic has forced roughly 42.6 million workers onto jobless rolls in just 11 weeks. U.S. workers filed another 1.9 million new claims for unemployment benefits last week, the Department of Labor reported. The coronavirus pandemic has forced roughly 42.6 million workers onto jobless rolls in just 11 weeks.  Another 623,000 people applied for …

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Vague testing guidance hinders business reopenings

Companies can require diagnostic coronavirus tests and temperature checks but the Trump administration hasn’t said when or how often to test. Gaps in federal guidelines and ongoing fears about contaminated workplaces are keeping businesses from reopening the way the White House envisioned a month ago, when it shifted its pandemic message to an economic revival. The …

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California Authorities Take Steps to Protect Workers’ Health and Rehiring Post-Quarantine

State and local governments in California have recently signed into law several measures aimed at protecting workers. At the state level, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order offering additional paid sick leave to food sector workers. At the local level, both the County and City of Los Angeles have now adopted worker retention and …

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New York City could see 400,000 workers return next month in first phase of a long recovery

As many as 400,000 workers could head back to work when New York City begins the first phase of its reopening in June, as the national epicenter of the crisis looks to begin a long recovery from the coronavirus shutdown.  Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday laid out guidelines for businesses that will be allowed …

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Madeline Messa

Madeline Messa is a 3L at Syracuse University College of Law. She graduated from Penn State with a degree in journalism. With her legal research and writing for Workplace Fairness, she strives to equip people with the information they need to be their own best advocate.