vox--2020-03-21--Here’s how you can help people who’ve lost jobs or housing in the wake of coronavirus

Here ’ s how you can help people who ’ ve lost jobs or housing in the wake of coronavirus Share All sharing options for : Here ’ s how you can help people who ’ ve lost jobs or housing in the wake of coronavirus The fallout from the spread of coronavirus has highlighted how many Americans are one disaster away from physical , emotional , or economic ruin .
Now , while many await federal and state assistance , those in more secure financial positions have an opportunity to step up and help .
But with so many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know where your time and dollars are best spent : Millions of uninsured Americans are at risk for catching the virus , could incur enormous medical bills for treatment , even if relief legislation promises to cover testing ; salaried and hourly workers at nonessential businesses have suddenly found themselves without wages , and some without homes ; local businesses have been forced to shutter ; and an uptick in racist rhetoric has resulted in increased danger for Asian Americans .
Social distancing measures recommended by authorities mean helping in person isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of Americans right now , but there are many worthy organizations seeking monetary donations to continue their work for a variety of affected communities .
For many , money has never been tighter .
But for those with a few dollars to spare , they can help vulnerable communities have a buffer long after the spread of Covid-19 is contained .
Here are a few ways you can assist .
If you want to help restaurant and service-industry workers Several local and state governments have forced restaurants and bars and other food- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service to takeout and delivery only , or shut down altogether .
As a result , thousands of hourly workers have suddenly found themselves without wages .
Eater has compiled a list of several organizations supporting workers in the restaurant industry .
The Restaurant Workers ’ Community Foundation , in particular , is using donations both to provide zero-interest loans to businesses to help them reopen and create a relief fund for “ individual workers facing economic hardships or health crises as a direct result of COVID-19.
” Similarly , One Fair Wage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimum wage for the industry , has set up a fund for tipped workers suffering from work scarcity .
The fund is looking to raise $ 213,000 — a symbolic figure highlighting the current $ 2.13 tipped minimum wage — for immediate distribution to “ tipped restaurant workers , delivery drivers , personal service workers and others affected by coronavirus and the economic downturn.
” If you want to fight food insecurity The math is simple : The Labor Department reported 281,000 new unemployment claims last week , with more certain to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to afford food and other necessities suffers .
Though the coronavirus relief package sets aside $ 1 billion to expanding access to programs like SNAP , WIC , and emergency food assistance , according to Vox ’ s Ella Nilsen , donating money to your local food bank or pantry is one way to make the most immediate and direct impact on your community .
A point of clarification : Food banks and food pantries provide two separate but equally important functions .
A food bank stores food donations before they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as food pantries , where those seeking food can come to pick up items .
Both types of organizations are seeking help — but right now , money will help more than donations from your cupboards .
“ With funding , food banks can source the appropriate resources they need for their communities — whether it ’ s household items like toilet paper and cleaning supplies or nonperishable food items , ” Kathryn Strickland , chief network officer of Feeding America , told Vox in an email .
“ In this moment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efficiently , and a financial donation enables them to do just that.
” If you ’ re interested in donating to a food bank , Feeding America has a national database of centers you can support , and it has established a COVID-19 Response Fund to provide additional aid to their member food banks .
If you ’ re interested in giving money to a food pantry in your community , check out FoodPantries.org for donation and contact information .
While volunteering in person is inadvisable at the moment , Strickland says you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food banks and pantries by donating online , raising awareness on social media , and advocating for greater federal support .
For those looking to give to faith-based resources , the nonprofit Children ’ s Hunger Fund has a dedicated page for donations to help feed children and families hurt by the spread of the virus .
If you want to support those with inadequate health care Minnesota and Vermont have classified grocery clerks as “ emergency workers , ” but many of those workers lack health insurance .
The latest data from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — more than 8 percent of the population — don ’ t have health insurance , and some of the professions with the highest uninsured rates are the people we ’ re relying on most to get us through this crisis , including sales workers and truck drivers , cashiers , janitors , and , yes , grocery clerks .
Coronavirus tests will be free , but if someone tests positive , they may still incur high costs for emergency room visits or if they ’ re admitted to the hospital .
Organizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are unable to pay medical expenses , while RIP Medical Debt , founded by two former debt collections executives , buys up bundles of medical debt , effectively canceling it for recipients .
Donations directly help cancel low-income individuals ’ medical debt .
“ We intend to continue alleviating some of the fiscal pressures facing Americans by eliminating medical debt obligations across the country , ” Allison Sesso , executive director of RIP Medical Debt , told Vox in an email .
“ We are also considering a focus on both those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis and those unable to work as a result of it.
” If you want to help ease housing instability and homelessness A 2018 Federal Reserve survey found that nearly 40 percent of Americans said they would have difficulty covering an emergency $ 400 expense .
With so many people suffering sudden income loss this month , making rent or mortgage payments may be difficult for thousands , if not millions , of Americans .
While President Trump has indicated that all foreclosures and evictions will be halted until the end of April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if workers lose their jobs altogether in the wake of the virus .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has told lawmakers that the unemployment rate may reach 20 percent .
The United Way has set up the COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund specifically to give those hit hardest across a spectrum of issues assistance with such things as housing and utility payments ; it fields requests from 1,200 local chapters .
Some United Way chapters are more explicit about their support for people experiencing or facing homelessness , like United Way Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support LA County ’ s unsheltered residents who are especially vulnerable to the coronavirus.
” There ’ s also the National Coalition for the Homeless , an organization that serves the immediate needs of people experiencing homelessness while working toward ending it altogether .
It provides a directory of local homelessness organizations if you prefer to support those directly .
If you want to combat xenophobia Some Americans — most prominently the president — continue to refer to Covid-19 using xenophobic and racist terminology , putting Chinese and other Asian American communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country have reported an uptick in racist attacks .
The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund , which works with Asian American communities to protect and promote civil rights , is documenting incidents of anti-Asian harassment , discrimination , and hate violence in the wake of the Covid-19 spread , and they ’ re encouraging individuals to report these incidents to the appropriate authorities .
“ Our staff attorneys are providing free legal assistance to Asian Americans and Asian immigrants who have been the targets of discrimination related to the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s executive director , said in an email to Vox .
“ We are also advocating for greater protections for low-wage workers and will provide legal advice and assistance if possible.
” Fung says online donations are the best way to help the group continue its work .
If you want to keep local businesses afloat Many local businesses have been forced to close indefinitely , while others will likely opt to close altogether as the economy falters .
Still , there are ways to support those businesses , even if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doors .
Help Main Street was launched in the wake of widespread closures by the creators of a restaurant-ordering startup Lunchbox to help keep local businesses afloat .
It allows people to buy gift cards to their favorite stores now with the intention of using them once operations recommence .
The site currently features a database of 20,000 businesses across the country and allows users to add new ones .
And you can always support local businesses such as bookstores and other retailers by shopping online , or even emailing your favorite shop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to help .

Here’s how you can help people who’ve lost jobs or housing in the wake of coronavirus
Share All sharing options for: Here’s how you can help people who’ve lost jobs or housing in the wake of coronavirus
The fallout from the spread of coronavirus has highlighted how many Americans are one disaster away from physical, emotional, or economic ruin. Now, while many await federal and state assistance, those in more secure financial positions have an opportunity to step up and help.
But with so many communities affected, it’s difficult to know where your time and dollars are best spent: Millions of uninsured Americans are at risk for catching the virus, could incur enormous medical bills for treatment, even if relief legislation promises to cover testing; salaried and hourly workers at nonessential businesses have suddenly found themselves without wages, and some without homes; local businesses have been forced to shutter; and an uptick in racist rhetoric has resulted in increased danger for Asian Americans.
Social distancing measures recommended by authorities mean helping in person isn’t an option for the vast majority of Americans right now, but there are many worthy organizations seeking monetary donations to continue their work for a variety of affected communities. For many, money has never been tighter. But for those with a few dollars to spare, they can help vulnerable communities have a buffer long after the spread of Covid-19 is contained. Here are a few ways you can assist.
If you want to help restaurant and service-industry workers
Several local and state governments have forced restaurants and bars and other food- and beverage-related businesses deemed nonessential to limit service to takeout and delivery only, or shut down altogether. As a result, thousands of hourly workers have suddenly found themselves without wages.
Eater has compiled a list of several organizations supporting workers in the restaurant industry. The Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation, in particular, is using donations both to provide zero-interest loans to businesses to help them reopen and create a relief fund for “individual workers facing economic hardships or health crises as a direct result of COVID-19.”
Similarly, One Fair Wage, a nonprofit lobbying for a higher minimum wage for the industry, has set up a fund for tipped workers suffering from work scarcity. The fund is looking to raise $213,000 — a symbolic figure highlighting the current $2.13 tipped minimum wage — for immediate distribution to “tipped restaurant workers, delivery drivers, personal service workers and others affected by coronavirus and the economic downturn.”
If you want to fight food insecurity
The math is simple: The Labor Department reported 281,000 new unemployment claims last week, with more certain to come. As unemployment rises, Americans’ ability to afford food and other necessities suffers. Though the coronavirus relief package sets aside $1 billion to expanding access to programs like SNAP, WIC, and emergency food assistance, according to Vox’s Ella Nilsen, donating money to your local food bank or pantry is one way to make the most immediate and direct impact on your community.
A point of clarification: Food banks and food pantries provide two separate but equally important functions. A food bank stores food donations before they are distributed to local food programs, such as food pantries, where those seeking food can come to pick up items. Both types of organizations are seeking help — but right now, money will help more than donations from your cupboards.
“With funding, food banks can source the appropriate resources they need for their communities — whether it’s household items like toilet paper and cleaning supplies or nonperishable food items,” Kathryn Strickland, chief network officer of Feeding America, told Vox in an email. “In this moment, food banks need to respond quickly and efficiently, and a financial donation enables them to do just that.”
If you’re interested in donating to a food bank, Feeding America has a national database of centers you can support, and it has established the COVID-19 Response Fund to provide additional aid to their member food banks. If you’re interested in giving money to a food pantry in your community, check out FoodPantries.org for donation and contact information.
While volunteering in person is inadvisable at the moment, Strickland says you can still help the work of local food banks and pantries by donating online, raising awareness on social media, and advocating for greater federal support.
For those looking to give to faith-based resources, the nonprofit Children’s Hunger Fund has a dedicated page for donations to help feed children and families hurt by the spread of the virus.
If you want to support those with inadequate health care
Minnesota and Vermont have classified grocery clerks as “emergency workers,” but many of those workers lack health insurance. The latest data from 2018 show that 27.5 million non-elderly people — more than 8 percent of the population — don’t have health insurance, and some of the professions with the highest uninsured rates are the people we’re relying on most to get us through this crisis, including sales workers and truck drivers, cashiers, janitors, and, yes, grocery clerks.
Coronavirus tests will be free, but if someone tests positive, they may still incur high costs for emergency room visits or if they’re admitted to the hospital. Organizations such as the HealthWell Foundation help people who are unable to pay medical expenses, while RIP Medical Debt, founded by two former debt collections executives, buys up bundles of medical debt, effectively canceling it for recipients. Donations directly help cancel low-income individuals’ medical debt.
“We intend to continue alleviating some of the fiscal pressures facing Americans by eliminating medical debt obligations across the country,” Allison Sesso, executive director of RIP Medical Debt, told Vox in an email. “We are also considering a focus on both those working on the front lines of this crisis and those unable to work as a result of it.”
If you want to help ease housing instability and homelessness
A 2018 Federal Reserve survey found that nearly 40 percent of Americans said they would have difficulty covering an emergency $400 expense. With so many people suffering sudden income loss this month, making rent or mortgage payments may be difficult for thousands, if not millions, of Americans. While President Trump has indicated that all foreclosures and evictions will be halted until the end of April, that still may not be enough if workers lose their jobs altogether in the wake of the virus. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has told lawmakers that the unemployment rate may reach 20 percent.
The United Way has set up the COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund specifically to give those hit hardest across a spectrum of issues assistance with such things as housing and utility payments; it fields requests from 1,200 local chapters.
Some United Way chapters are more explicit about their support for people experiencing or facing homelessness, like United Way Los Angeles, which established a fund specifically “to support LA County’s unsheltered residents who are especially vulnerable to the coronavirus.”
There’s also the National Coalition for the Homeless, an organization that serves the immediate needs of people experiencing homelessness while working toward ending it altogether. It provides a directory of local homelessness organizations if you prefer to support those directly.
And some industry-specific groups are seeking donations to people struggling to make rent or mortgage payments. MusiCares, an aid organization affiliated with the Recording Academy, for example, has launched a Covid-19 Relief Fund to provide financial assistance for housing costs to music industry professionals affected by “venue closures, festival and event cancellations and travel restrictions.”
If you want to combat xenophobia
Some Americans — most prominently the president — continue to refer to Covid-19 using xenophobic and racist terminology, putting Chinese and other Asian American communities at risk; Chinese Americans across the country have reported an uptick in racist attacks.
The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, which works with Asian American communities to protect and promote civil rights, is documenting incidents of anti-Asian harassment, discrimination, and hate violence in the wake of the Covid-19 spread, and they’re encouraging individuals to report these incidents to the appropriate authorities.
“Our staff attorneys are providing free legal assistance to Asian Americans and Asian immigrants who have been the targets of discrimination related to the coronavirus pandemic,” Margaret Fung, the organization’s executive director, said in an email to Vox. “We are also advocating for greater protections for low-wage workers and will provide legal advice and assistance if possible.”
Fung says online donations are the best way to help the group continue its work.
If you want to keep local businesses afloat
Many local businesses have been forced to close indefinitely, while others will likely opt to close altogether as the economy falters. Still, there are ways to support those businesses, even if you can’t physically walk through their doors.
Help Main Street was launched in the wake of widespread closures by the creators of a restaurant-ordering startup Lunchbox to help keep local businesses afloat. It allows people to buy gift cards to their favorite stores now with the intention of using them once operations recommence. The site currently features a database of 20,000 businesses across the country and allows users to add new ones.
And you can always support local businesses such as bookstores and other retailers by shopping online, or even emailing your favorite shop or restaurant and asking them the best way to help.


vox--2020-03-21--I’m an international student 7,000 miles away from family. Loneliness is my new reality.

My family spends their days holed up in our ninth-floor apartment in Seoul , protecting themselves from the coronavirus outbreak in South Korea .
But I ’ m not with them — I ’ m stuck 7,000 miles away in my dorm room in New Jersey , grappling with the knowledge that most of my classmates have either already moved out or will be gone by the end of the week .
As an international student from a high-risk country , I will be part of a handful of students allowed to remain on a campus that has been traumatically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loneliness is a new normal I have to get used to , as everything I ’ ve grown familiar with has changed , quite literally , overnight .
Watching parents help their children move out earlier this week , I felt stuck between wanting to go home and being scared to do so .
As the coronavirus continues to spread around the world , so does the fear among international students like myself — of which there are currently over a million in the United States — that travel restrictions and health risks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once the academic year comes to an end .
And we , too , will have to leave our dorms then .
If we can not return to our countries , where will we go next ?
And if we do get to leave , will we get to come back ?
Also on my mind are logistical concerns : If I were to leave but not allowed to return , what would happen to my academic visa in the fall ?
What about my friends who were caught in the middle of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shook our lives ?
Will they get to stay , too , in this country ?
Yet heavier than the logistical burdens are the emotional ones .
Ever since last week when Princeton declared that all students were required to leave campus , with some exceptions , and all classes would switch to online learning , I ’ ve been reflecting on loneliness .
It crossed my mind when I watched students singing classic Queen and ABBA hits on a lawn near my dorm room , or when I baked one last cake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends goodbye , and sat in my room afterward , alone , trying to make sense of it all .
But I am familiar with loneliness , and specifically the variety that stems from being far from home .
Although this loneliness is hard to bear at times , I admit it is also a twisted badge of honor : that I made the sacrifice to become a lonely child miles and miles from home , in the hope of repaying the sacrifices my family made to get me here in the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve put 12-hour plane rides between myself and my loved ones for the sake of a “ good education , ” which , for my whole life , I ’ ve been told I had to leave home to attain .
I ’ ve left behind home-cooked dinners and family nights in search of vaguely defined notions of “ better opportunities ” abroad .
That sacrifice has meant milestones I have never had in college : my parents moving me in , coming for parents ’ weekend , inviting my friends home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends in New Jersey have so kindly welcomed me into their homes .
I ’ ve been grateful for having a seat at their tables , yet a little sad that my mother , who has a sweet tooth , has never tasted homemade pumpkin pie .
This loneliness is compounded by the way this country defines me : a “ non-immigrant alien , ” a perpetual outsider in a category defined by what I ’ m not , rather than what I am .
I know that being the perpetual foreigner was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when I chose to leave home , and , I ’ m also aware , it ’ s an incredible privilege .
Besides , in an age of technology , I ’ m never too far from those I love — virtually , that is , through video chatting , group chats , and email .
It is jarring , however , to know that technology will soon be all I ever know .
As classes move online , tech will not just be my connection to home , but to my friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t feel right at all .
Now the remaining student body at Princeton numbers in the few hundreds — a stark contrast with the thousands that filled the labs , libraries , and sports fields just two weeks ago .
My residential hall is eerily quiet ; board games sit untouched in the lounge and the washing machines sit empty and dry .
Meals are served twice daily — in disposable take-out containers — in the one cafeteria that remains open out of the usual roster of six , served by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worrying about kids and their families back home .
Across many campuses , there are international students like us , navigating two worlds .
After winter break in my junior year , I had a layover in Beijing on my way to Newark from Seoul , just days before the coronavirus began spreading in China .
As I waited in the non-citizen line to clear immigration at the airport , I noticed that everyone around me was a student : lined up one after another , we held our immigration documents at our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When it came time to approach an agent , each person had their well-practiced stories : where they were going , where they had been , why they were here , now , in Newark Airport , asking to be let back in .
In our acts of self-justification was a quiet solidarity that none of us spoke of .
But I felt deeply that day in my jet-lagged body , moved to be among those who understood , how important that solidarity can be .
As the virus spreads , dissolving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reach the United States in the first place , I find myself wondering how my companions in that airport queue are doing today .
I know that , as classes move online and students are told to move out all across the country , everyone is hurting .
But international students face a unique situation .
To us , the coronavirus is a stark reminder of how far we are from home .
Small gestures — like checking in on us — can mean everything .
Offers of open homes and emotional support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far from family .
It is a lonely time for all of us .
A simple greeting , whether on the phone or computer , can offer warmth that slowly chips away at the isolation .
Jimin Kang is a writer and current junior at Princeton University , where she is majoring in Spanish & Portuguese and works as a journalist with the University Press Club .
Originally from South Korea , she was raised in Hong Kong and spent a year in Brazil before starting school in the United States .
Find @ @ @ @ @ @

My family spends their days holed up in our ninth-floor apartment in Seoul, protecting themselves from the coronavirus outbreak in South Korea. But I’m not with them — I’m stuck 7,000 miles away in my dorm room in New Jersey, grappling with the knowledge that most of my classmates have either already moved out or will be gone by the end of the week.
As an international student from a high-risk country, I will be part of a handful of students allowed to remain on a campus that has been traumatically emptied out. This creeping sense of loneliness is a new normal I have to get used to, as everything I’ve grown familiar with has changed, quite literally, overnight.
Watching parents help their children move out earlier this week, I felt stuck between wanting to go home and being scared to do so. As the coronavirus continues to spread around the world, so does the fear among international students like myself — of which there are currently over a million in the United States — that travel restrictions and health risks may bar us from returning home even once the academic year comes to an end. And we, too, will have to leave our dorms then.
If we cannot return to our countries, where will we go next? And if we do get to leave, will we get to come back? Also on my mind are logistical concerns: If I were to leave but not allowed to return, what would happen to my academic visa in the fall? What about my friends who were caught in the middle of applying to postgraduate visas when the coronavirus shook our lives? Will they get to stay, too, in this country?
Yet heavier than the logistical burdens are the emotional ones. Ever since last week when Princeton declared that all students were required to leave campus, with some exceptions, and all classes would switch to online learning, I’ve been reflecting on loneliness. It crossed my mind when I watched students singing classic Queen and ABBA hits on a lawn near my dorm room, or when I baked one last cake at my co-op, hugged my senior friends goodbye, and sat in my room afterward, alone, trying to make sense of it all.
But I am familiar with loneliness, and specifically the variety that stems from being far from home. Although this loneliness is hard to bear at times, I admit it is also a twisted badge of honor: that I made the sacrifice to become a lonely child miles and miles from home, in the hope of repaying the sacrifices my family made to get me here in the first place.
For three years, I’ve put 12-hour plane rides between myself and my loved ones for the sake of a “good education,” which, for my whole life, I’ve been told I had to leave home to attain. I’ve left behind home-cooked dinners and family nights in search of vaguely defined notions of “better opportunities” abroad.
That sacrifice has meant milestones I have never had in college: my parents moving me in, coming for parents’ weekend, inviting my friends home for dinner. Every Thanksgiving, my friends in New Jersey have so kindly welcomed me into their homes. I’ve been grateful for having a seat at their tables, yet a little sad that my mother, who has a sweet tooth, has never tasted homemade pumpkin pie. This loneliness is compounded by the way this country defines me: a “non-immigrant alien,” a perpetual outsider in a category defined by what I’m not, rather than what I am.
I know that being the perpetual foreigner was a trade-off I willingly signed up for when I chose to leave home, and, I’m also aware, it’s an incredible privilege. Besides, in an age of technology, I’m never too far from those I love — virtually, that is, through video chatting, group chats, and email. It is jarring, however, to know that technology will soon be all I ever know. As classes move online, tech will not just be my connection to home, but to my friends and to my learning, and it doesn’t feel right at all.
Now the remaining student body at Princeton numbers in the few hundreds — a stark contrast with the thousands that filled the labs, libraries, and sports fields just two weeks ago. My residential hall is eerily quiet; board games sit untouched in the lounge and the washing machines sit empty and dry. Meals are served twice daily — in disposable take-out containers — in the one cafeteria that remains open out of the usual roster of six, served by staff who are kind and caring and worrying about kids and their families back home.
Across many campuses, there are international students like us, navigating two worlds.
After winter break in my junior year, I had a layover in Beijing on my way to Newark from Seoul, just days before the coronavirus began spreading in China. As I waited in the non-citizen line to clear immigration at the airport, I noticed that everyone around me was a student: lined up one after another, we held our immigration documents at our chests, fiddling with our signal-deprived phones. When it came time to approach an agent, each person had their well-practiced stories: where they were going, where they had been, why they were here, now, in Newark Airport, asking to be let back in. In our acts of self-justification was a quiet solidarity that none of us spoke of. But I felt deeply that day in my jet-lagged body, moved to be among those who understood, how important that solidarity can be.
As the virus spreads, dissolving the transnational bonds that have helped me reach the United States in the first place, I find myself wondering how my companions in that airport queue are doing today. I know that, as classes move online and students are told to move out all across the country, everyone is hurting. But international students face a unique situation. To us, the coronavirus is a stark reminder of how far we are from home. Small gestures — like checking in on us — can mean everything. Offers of open homes and emotional support can feel like blessings in this land far from family.
It is a lonely time for all of us. A simple greeting, whether on the phone or computer, can offer warmth that slowly chips away at the isolation.
Jimin Kang is a writer and current junior at Princeton University, where she is majoring in Spanish & Portuguese and works as a journalist with the University Press Club. Originally from South Korea, she was raised in Hong Kong and spent a year in Brazil before starting school in the United States. Find her on Twitter @jiminkanggg.


vox--2020-03-21--The coronavirus recession is already here

You don ’ t need to be told there ’ s something deeply wrong in the economy right now .
The coronavirus crisis has sent the economy into a tailspin in the United States and around the globe .
The restaurant industry has ground to a halt .
So have air travel , auto manufacturing , hotels , gyms , and cruise lines .
The stock market has posted enormous losses and wild daily swings , to the point that trading has sometimes been paused altogether , and the price of oil has plummeted .
Layoffs across the country are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re producing less , spending less , and consuming less .
After more than a decade of expansion , the next recession is here .
“ The reality is that even without the data , this is the one time where we can look around and say , well , first of all , everybody is at home , ” said Betsey Stevenson , an economist at the University of Michigan and former Obama administration official .
“ We won ’ t know for a long time what the full magnitudes of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I spoke to half a dozen economists about the state of the US economy and this question : Are we in a recession ?
The resounding response : Yes , we are , and if somehow we ’ re not yet , we will be in a matter of days .
“ The economy was strong coming into this , and what we ’ re doing now is shutting down parts of the economy for the sake of public health , ” said Bill Dupor , assistant vice president and economist at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re in now is different from other recent downturns .
It ’ s pegged to the global health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic , and whatever levers the Federal Reserve , Congress , the White House , and state and local governments pull can only do so much .
Government officials made the decision that shutting down businesses and pausing a lot of economic activity is worth saving lives .
As Dartmouth University economist Bruce Sacerdote put it , “ It ’ s all about getting the damn virus under control.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me is ordered to close , and the bartender , therefore , is laid off .
I can ’ t go spend money at the bar right now , and the bartender isn ’ t making money she can spend .
Even if I ’ m still collecting a paycheck , I know the economic situation is precarious , so I want to save .
“ That ’ s the paradox of a lockdown economy , ” said Greg Daco , an economist at Oxford Economics .
“ Right now , we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Marc Goldwein , senior policy director at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget , a bipartisan group that advocates for fiscal responsibility .
The warning signs are everywhere , even if the data isn ’ t yet A recession generally means that the economy , instead of growing , contracts .
Traditionally , a recession has been defined as two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth .
The National Bureau of Economic Research has a broader definition : “ a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , normally visible in real GDP , real income , employment , industrial production , and wholesale-retail sales.
” A group within the NBER , the Business Cycle Dating Committee , is the body that officially “ calls ” when a recession starts and ends .
It could do so once two quarters of data are in , it could do so now , it could never do so at all .
Data is often a lagging indicator , but given the state of affairs , we don ’ t really need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happening .
“ The point is , we ’ re going to have a sharp economic contraction , ” said Richard Sylla , professor emeritus of economics at New York University .
“ We won ’ t officially know whether it ’ s a recession or not until sometime late in the year .
But that really isn ’ t the relevant thing.
” The data and estimates we do have are already staggering .
Restaurant occupancy has plummeted across multiple states and cities , and airlines are slashing flights .
Weekly jobless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on March 14 , and Goldman Sachs estimates that the number will climb to 2.25 million from March 15 to 21 .
Various states have seen unemployment insurance phone lines jammed as recently laid-off workers call in .
The unemployment rate is widely expected to spike from the historically low 3.5 percent rate it was at in February .
Analyst forecasts for GDP growth have become increasingly dire in recent days as the gravity of the situation sets in .
JPMorgan estimated the economy could shrink by 14 percent in the second quarter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent .
Both predicted a strong bounce-back in the third and fourth quarters , largely on the assumption that the virus will be under control by then , which is far from assured .
“ For me , there ’ s too much uncertainty , ” Dupor told me .
This is hitting Main Street and Wall Street Most recent downturns have started within the financial system , such as the Great Recession and financial crisis more than a decade ago , explained J.W .
Mason , a fellow at the progressive think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not that .
“ It ’ s starting in the real economy , ” he said .
But that doesn ’ t mean what ’ s happening on Wall Street doesn ’ t matter .
While the stock market is not the economy , plenty of people have money invested there , including for retirement .
The stock market can also be a leading indicator of where the economy is headed , and by that measure , where it is headed is not good .
Stocks have essentially given back all of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the markets have become pretty volatile .
“ If you think about it , the stock market is a reflection of financial intermediation in the broadest sense of the term , ” Daco said .
“ It ’ s essentially a scorecard whereby business generates revenue over time , they borrow , they lend , and they produce.
” The stock market ’ s performance could also have a psychological effect , whether it ’ s just in the headlines or people checking their investments and 401 ( k ) balances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent decline in the stock market makes people feel poorer , so they ’ ll go out and spend less .
That ’ s a source of declining demand , ” Sylla said .
Oil prices have plunged as well , taking a sort of one-two punch : a price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia , and then a decline in demand because of air travel and other coronavirus-related developments .
In a typical economy , that translates to low gas prices , which means consumers have more money to spend .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A lot of people aren ’ t driving anywhere , and they ’ re trying to save their money , not spend it .
Beyond what ’ s happening in the stock market and oil prices , people across the country right now are feeling a real shock in their everyday lives .
It ’ s not Wall Street traders who are on the front lines of the economic crisis here , it ’ s everyday workers .
What ’ s happening right now is a combination of supply and demand constraints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal constraints — cities and states are shutting down bars , restaurants , gyms , etc.
, and people are being told to stay home .
In other places , the constraints aren ’ t legally in place , but they ’ re implied by society .
“ People literally aren ’ t going to work to produce stuff , and people aren ’ t going to buy stuff , ” Goldwein said .
“ Very large swaths of industries are going to be called off limits , so those businesses are naturally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Sacerdote said .
He also emphasized that , as in 2008 , this will hit hardest people on the lower end of the economic and educational spectrum .
“ The gap by education will be strong again , if not stronger , ” he said .
“ When GDP declines by 5 percent , that ’ s as if the average person in the economy has cut their spending by 5 percent .
Does it seem reasonable to you that people have cut spending by 5 percent ?
Does it seem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ?
” Stevenson said .
“ No matter how you look at GDP , we can see the shrinking.
” Dupor warned that state and local governments could be headed toward severe hardships as well .
The cost of borrowing for many of them has increased sharply , and for governments going forward with critical investments , that translates to higher interest costs on top of falling tax revenue .
Eventually , they ’ ll have to start making decisions about cutting back spending .
It ’ s “ going to mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including potentially critical stuff for dealing with public health emergencies like public hospitals and clinics , and a loss of income for the companies and workers that produce this stuff , ” Dupor said .
Anyone who tells you they know what ’ s going to happen with the US economy , or when it ’ s going to bounce back , is guessing .
Some economists have suggested that the economy will begin to bounce back in the third quarter , but that assumes the virus is under control and people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their normal lives .
And there ’ s just no guarantee that ’ s going to happen — scientists have warned that we could have to live with social distancing for a year or more .
“ There will not be a recovery until we have solved the public health part of this , ” Goldwein said .
But that does not mean all is lost ( at least if we all intend to keep getting out of bed every day , if only to sit in our living rooms in our pajamas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play to keep things humming along as much as they can until the health and science elements figure it out .
The Fed has slashed interest rates , injected loans , and taken other measures to help shore up the financial system .
On Capitol Hill , Congress has already passed legislation on vaccine development , free testing , paid sick leave , and expanded unemployment .
A $ 1 trillion stimulus bill is under consideration .
Such measures are meant to keep the economy from falling deeper than what the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens .
Of course , the concern is whether they ’ ll be enough .
As Politico ’ s Ben White notes , there are calls for a much bigger stimulus coming from the left and the right .
“ The risk of doing too little is much greater than the risk of doing too much , ” Stevenson said .
If the coronavirus crisis ends relatively soon , or if the government does enough to intervene , once this whole thing is over , the expectation is that the economy will bounce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong recovery , because everybody will breathe a sigh of relief when it ’ s over , but we don ’ t know when that ’ s going to happen , ” Sylla said .
But if we ’ ve done too little , once the crisis is over , it will be much harder to get the economy back up and running .
The fact that there are customers that can come back doesn ’ t mean a business immediately reappears , or that those customers have money in their pockets .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re lonely , they ’ re not getting very much face-to-face socializing , and they are going to be excited to return to restaurants and movie theaters and bars and to go shopping at the mall and to go to Disneyland , but if they ’ ve depleted all their savings , if they ’ ve ruined their credit scores , if they ’ ve declared bankruptcy , then they won ’ t be able to afford those things , ” Stevenson said .
“ And if the businesses have declared bankruptcy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for them to spend their money at.
” We are truly in uncharted territory in so many ways right now , including when it comes to the economy .
We ’ re going to know when the recession began — early March 2020 — but we have no idea when it will end .
It may not officially be declared a recession for months or a year , if it even is at all .
The best-case scenario : It is an extremely deep but short recession , maybe a quarter or two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months . )
The worst-case scenario , well , we just don ’ t know .
“ We ’ re in entirely new territory , ” Dupor said .
“ We haven ’ t ever seen this before .
”

You don’t need to be told there’s something deeply wrong in the economy right now.
The coronavirus crisis has sent the economy into a tailspin in the United States and around the globe. The restaurant industry has ground to a halt. So have air travel, auto manufacturing, hotels, gyms, and cruise lines. The stock market has posted enormous losses and wild daily swings, to the point that trading has sometimes been paused altogether, and the price of oil has plummeted. Layoffs across the country are taking place in waves. We’re producing less, spending less, and consuming less.
After more than a decade of expansion, the next recession is here.
“The reality is that even without the data, this is the one time where we can look around and say, well, first of all, everybody is at home,” said Betsey Stevenson, an economist at the University of Michigan and former Obama administration official. “We won’t know for a long time what the full magnitudes of the decline are.”
In recent days, I spoke to half a dozen economists about the state of the US economy and this question: Are we in a recession? The resounding response: Yes, we are, and if somehow we’re not yet, we will be in a matter of days.
“The economy was strong coming into this, and what we’re doing now is shutting down parts of the economy for the sake of public health,” said Bill Dupor, assistant vice president and economist at the St. Louis Fed.
What we’re in now is different from other recent downturns. It’s pegged to the global health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, and whatever levers the Federal Reserve, Congress, the White House, and state and local governments pull can only do so much. Government officials made the decision that shutting down businesses and pausing a lot of economic activity is worth saving lives. As Dartmouth College economist Bruce Sacerdote put it, “It’s all about getting the damn virus under control.”
Say the bar down the corner from me is ordered to close, and the bartender, therefore, is laid off. I can’t go spend money at the bar right now, and the bartender isn’t making money she can spend. Even if I’m still collecting a paycheck, I know the economic situation is precarious, so I want to save.
“That’s the paradox of a lockdown economy,” said Greg Daco, an economist at Oxford Economics.
“Right now, we’re just trying to manage the fall,” said Marc Goldwein, senior policy director at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a bipartisan group that advocates for fiscal responsibility.
The warning signs are everywhere, even if the data isn’t yet
A recession generally means that the economy, instead of growing, contracts.
Traditionally, a recession has been defined as two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth. The National Bureau of Economic Research has a broader definition: “a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales.” A group within the NBER, the Business Cycle Dating Committee, is the body that officially “calls” when a recession starts and ends. It could do so once two quarters of data are in, it could do so now, or it could never do so at all. Data is often a lagging indicator, but given the state of affairs, we don’t really need to wait to figure out what’s happening.
“The point is, we’re going to have a sharp economic contraction,” said Richard Sylla, professor emeritus of economics at New York University. “We won’t officially know whether it’s a recession or not until sometime late in the year. But that really isn’t the relevant thing.”
The data and estimates we do have are already staggering. Restaurant occupancy has plummeted across multiple states and cities, and airlines are slashing flights.
Weekly jobless claims spiked to 3.3 million the week ending March 21, the biggest jump in claims in history and well above the previous record of 695,000 dating back to 1982. Various states have seen unemployment insurance phone lines jammed as recently laid-off workers call in. The unemployment rate is widely expected to spike from the historically low rate of 3.5 percent in February.
Analyst forecasts for GDP growth have become increasingly dire in recent days as the gravity of the situation sets in. JPMorgan estimated the economy could shrink by 14 percent in the second quarter. Goldman Sachs forecast a decline of 24 percent. Both predicted a strong bounce-back in the third and fourth quarters, largely on the assumption that the virus will be under control by then, which is far from assured.
“For me, there’s too much uncertainty,” Dupor told me.
This is hitting Main Street and Wall Street
Most recent downturns have started within the financial system, such as the Great Recession and financial crisis more than a decade ago, explained J.W. Mason, a fellow at the Roosevelt Institute, a progressive think tank. This is not that. “It’s starting in the real economy,” he said.
But that doesn’t mean what’s happening on Wall Street doesn’t matter. While the stock market is not the economy, plenty of people have money invested there, including for retirement. The stock market can also be a leading indicator of where the economy is headed, and by that measure, where it is headed is not good. Stocks have essentially given back all of their gains since Trump took office in 2017, and the markets have become pretty volatile.
“If you think about it, the stock market is a reflection of financial intermediation in the broadest sense of the term,” Daco said. “It’s essentially a scorecard whereby business generates revenue over time, they borrow, they lend, and they produce.”
The stock market’s performance could also have a psychological effect, whether it’s just in the headlines or people checking their investments and 401(k) balances. “I assume that a 30 percent decline in the stock market makes people feel poorer, so they’ll go out and spend less. That’s a source of declining demand,” Sylla said.
Oil prices have plunged as well, taking a sort of one-two punch: a price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia, and then a decline in demand because of air travel and other coronavirus-related developments. In a typical economy, that translates to low gas prices, which means consumers have more money to spend. But again, this is not that. A lot of people aren’t driving anywhere, and they’re trying to save their money, not spend it.
Beyond what’s happening in the stock market and oil prices, people across the country right now are feeling a real shock in their everyday lives. It’s not Wall Street traders who are on the front lines of the economic crisis here, it’s everyday workers.
What’s happening right now is a combination of supply and demand constraints. In some cases, there are legal constraints — cities and states are shutting down bars, restaurants, gyms, etc., and people are being told to stay home. In other places, the constraints aren’t legally in place, but they’re implied by society. “People literally aren’t going to work to produce stuff, and people aren’t going to buy stuff,” Goldwein said.
“Very large swaths of industries are going to be called off limits, so those businesses are naturally cutting back hours and letting people go,” Sacerdote said. He also emphasized that, as in 2008, this will hit people hardest on the lower end of the economic and educational spectrum. “The gap by education will be strong again, if not stronger,” he said.
“When GDP declines by 5 percent, that’s as if the average person in the economy has cut their spending by 5 percent. Does it seem reasonable to you that people have cut spending by 5 percent? Does it seem reasonable that it’s bigger than that?” Stevenson said. “No matter how you look at GDP, we can see the shrinking.”
Dupor warned that state and local governments could be headed toward severe hardships as well. The cost of borrowing for many of them has increased sharply, and for governments going forward with critical investments, that translates to higher interest costs on top of falling tax revenue. Eventually, they’ll have to start making decisions about cutting back spending. It’s “going to mean both worse public services going forward, including potentially critical stuff for dealing with public health emergencies like public hospitals and clinics, and a loss of income for the companies and workers that produce this stuff,” Dupor said.
We’re in the unknown
Anyone who tells you they know what’s going to happen with the US economy, or when it’s going to bounce back, is guessing. Some economists have suggested that the economy will begin to bounce back in the third quarter, but that assumes the virus is under control and people are able to return at least somewhat to their normal lives. And there’s just no guarantee that’s going to happen — scientists have warned that we could have to live with social distancing for a year or more.
“There will not be a recovery until we have solved the public health part of this,” Goldwein said.
But that does not mean all is lost (at least if we all intend to keep getting out of bed every day, if only to sit in our living rooms in our pajamas).
The government has a role to play to keep things humming along as much as they can until the health and science elements figure it out. The Fed has slashed interest rates, injected loans, and taken other measures to help shore up the financial system. On Capitol Hill, Congress has already passed legislation on vaccine development, free testing, paid sick leave, and expanded unemployment. A $2 trillion stimulus bill is in the works.
Such measures are meant to keep the economy from falling deeper than the health crisis necessitates and tide over businesses and citizens. Of course, the concern is whether they’ll be enough. As Politico’s Ben White notes, there are calls for a much bigger stimulus coming from the left and the right.
“The risk of doing too little is much greater than the risk of doing too much,” Stevenson said.
If the coronavirus crisis ends relatively soon, or if the government does enough to intervene, once this whole thing is over, the expectation is that the economy will bounce back.
“There will be a strong recovery, because everybody will breathe a sigh of relief when it’s over, but we don’t know when that’s going to happen,” Sylla said.
But if we’ve done too little, once the crisis is over, it will be much harder to get the economy back up and running. The fact that there are customers who can come back doesn’t mean a business immediately reappears, or that those customers have money in their pockets.
“People are cooped up, they’re lonely, they’re not getting very much face-to-face socializing, and they are going to be excited to return to restaurants and movie theaters and bars and to go shopping at the mall and to go to Disneyland, but if they’ve depleted all their savings, if they’ve ruined their credit scores, if they’ve declared bankruptcy, then they won’t be able to afford those things,” Stevenson said. “And if the businesses have declared bankruptcy, they won’t be there for them to spend their money at.”
There is much that is unclear right now, including on the economy. We’re going to know when the US recession began — early March 2020 — but we have no idea when it will end. It may not officially be declared a recession for months or a year, if it even is at all. The best-case scenario: It is an extremely deep but short recession, maybe a quarter or two. (The last recession lasted 18 months.) The worst-case scenario? Well, we just don’t know.
“We’re in entirely new territory,” Dupor said. “We haven’t ever seen this before.”


vox--2020-03-21--When coronavirus is behind us, will you still think of restaurant and bar workers?

It happened quickly .
On Monday we were getting emails about hand sanitizer at every station , by Wednesday we weren ’ t accepting cash , by Friday midday we got an email about new menu items , and within an hour we were closed indefinitely .
Nitehawk , a little indie dine-in movie theater staring at Manhattan across the water from Brooklyn , was an immovable staple of Williamsburg nightlife — or at least that ’ s what I thought after running food to sold-out theaters for a year and a half .
But here we are .
My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so empty the chef could have taken the orders , prepped and made the food , served it , bussed it , and cleaned up all by himself .
On Saturday , we went to the bar to pick up food that would otherwise have been bound for the dumpster .
We found it all laid out like an impromptu street market , burger buns and chips stacked high , kale going dark at the edges .
It ’ s a scene playing out all across the country , from the epicenters of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City , and Washington state to cities and towns and roadside diners even in rural America ; at least 25 states have mandated the closure of restaurants , but with how fast the news is going , by the time you get to the period at the end of this sentence , that number may have grown .
But even without a mandate , so many of these small businesses operate on such thin margins that most will look at their books in the coming weeks and months and find there is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave the nation ’ s 15.6 million restaurant workers ?
Most people go through life never really having to think about the server , the busser , the barback , the line cook , or the dishwasher — just figures in black , just glimpses of people as you grab your coat and head out the door .
But who are we , we nighttime people swimming through the dark streets , on the crosstown at 3 am , nodding off on the night ’ s last bus , sitting on the milk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and watching the cars on the overpass , smiling when we feel like screaming , dancing until the day interrupts us ?
If you took the time to look , you might see the whole of us , the work relationship that blew up on us , the burn of dishwater on our forearms that doesn ’ t feel so bad a year in , the unpaid loans , the dirty aprons , the leftover food snuck home because we had only 10 bucks for the week , the drunk nights , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you had for just a little while .
Insofar as everyone must justify their existence against the market , we are an economic force .
Jobs in the industry have grown by 84 percent between 2010 and 2018 , according to the National Restaurant Association , and in the ever-venerated field of small business , locally owned restaurants employ nearly 8 million people , the second-largest number of any industry .
As the Dow struggles to regain its footing , and people begin to accept that they may not see the inside of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true power of our departure is only starting to be felt .
But in the numbers , we once again lose the people .
We ’ re the dreaming people , the striving people , the laughing people .
We ’ re painters and playwrights , comedians , dancers , animators , entrepreneurs , students , musicians , actors , drag queens , skate punks , and amateur boxers .
We ’ re immigrants , from Ecuador , El Salvador , Senegal , the Philippines , and Iowa .
We ’ re new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit better .
We ’ re old vets , cuts and burns writing their sentences over the tattoos on our forearms .
We speak Creole and Spanish and Hindi .
We work three jobs — babysitting , security , freelance PA work , selling weed , teaching yoga , bartending at another restaurant , taking care of our little cousins .
We ’ re working on master ’ s degrees and business plans .
We ’ ve got schemes and big ideas , weird shows and poetry readings .
That ’ s me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caught at a glance through swinging doors .
Our lives are held together with duct tape ; the system sucks it all out from us as soon as we get it .
How are you ever going to get three months ’ savings when your rent is two-thirds of the money you make and your loans are all the rest ?
How are you ever going to write your novel when you work 12 hours a day between two jobs ?
Forty percent of Americans say they can ’ t deal with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that emergency has come , for all of us , all at once .
Most of us don ’ t know how we ’ re going to pay rent in a week — and beyond that is a dark jungle of unformed life that seems impossible to hack our way through .
What happens now ?
How do we live ?
Nowhere is hiring , and bills are still coming .
My greatest pillar of support , it seems , is from a Cinema Worker Solidarity Fund on GoFundMe .
All these people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ve barely started to grapple with how to help them .
Some economist somewhere , or more likely , a horde of them , is calculating what all this sudden loss will mean for the GDP , that highest measure of our livelihoods .
But as historian Rutger Bregman ( who had his moment of fame telling the billionaires at Davos to pay their taxes ) points out in his book Utopia for Realists , the GDP hides as much as it reveals .
“ Community service , clean air , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these things make the GDP an iota bigger .
… And that ’ s to say nothing of all the unpaid labor that doesn ’ t even qualify ... from volunteering to child care to cooking , which together represents more than half of all our work.
” It is that kind of work — the kind for which there is little or no financial remuneration — that makes a community .
Free concerts at the park , classes at the library , one-woman shows , book clubs , volunteer work , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pursuits that require a person to also find a “ survival job.
” In other words , the very kind of work that puts someone in the service industry .
After this is all over , there will be a massive stock-taking , but if we only look at the numbers , we ’ ll miss something ineffable .
Even if we won ’ t admit it , we tend to think that wealth measures a person .
It telegraphs how much they have contributed , and what they are worth in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see it : the way a person walks into a store , how they get your attention .
But I grant it nothing ; all the wealth , the power , the status , the view from the 63rd floor doesn ’ t mean I hold you higher than the prep cook listening to her textbooks for night school on tape while she cuts a barrel full of Brussels sprouts .
Human worth is that deep-down stuff , and our economy has missed it completely .
Part of modern working-class life in America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all those varied people will move along .
They ’ ll find their way out of a survival job , or life will just hit them too hard one day , and they ’ ll miss a shift and get fired , or they ’ ll find a better gig , or any one of a thousand quiet ways people leave a restaurant or bar .
They become a Facebook friend , an Instagram follow , and drift back into the static .
Sometimes you think back on them and wonder if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call them up and talk about nothing at all .
You think , “ Maybe I could have tried to know them a little more.
” At Nitehawk , like at restaurants around the country , it happened all at once .
Seeing each other in the restaurant , at our little market gathering supplies for an uncertain future , it had the air of the last day of school , stretched tight over a well of panic .
The final indignity of the moment , standing amid piles of spoiling food , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breakdowns , was that I couldn ’ t even give them a hug goodbye .
Some of us got drunk that night , the last time we ’ d be around other people for maybe months , hopping from apartment to apartment until the night grew long and we all went home , wondering if we ’ d ever see each other again .
I could feel millions of people I ’ ll never meet , all over the country , playing their own variation of that same song .
A job isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a refuge in a river .
But now we ’ ve all been swept away .
Every working person in the United States who doesn ’ t have the luxury of working from home is now forced to choose between danger and exhaustion or poverty and uncertainty .
What is this moment going to show us when we look back on it ?
We ’ re now seeing the necessity of each industry and the people who comprise it in turn .
Surprisingly , we ’ re finding that it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to appreciate most — the service industry worker , the grocery store clerk , the delivery person , the social worker , the teacher , the nurse .
Perhaps we ought to reorder our thinking on who builds a world worth living in , and then build a system that supports those people , not only now but always , because this crisis is one part pandemic but also one part systemic failure .
A world of runaway economic inequality leaves our foundations shaky .
Now , we are seeing the consequences — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the people .
Luke Taylor is a writer , researcher , podcaster , and service industry worker in New York .

It happened quickly. On Monday we were getting emails about hand sanitizer at every station, by Wednesday we weren’t accepting cash, by Friday midday we got an email about new menu items, and within an hour we were closed indefinitely. Nitehawk, a little indie dine-in movie theater staring at Manhattan across the water from Brooklyn, was an immovable staple of Williamsburg nightlife — or at least that’s what I thought after running food to sold-out theaters for a year and a half. But here we are. My last shift was a brunch shift, so empty the chef could have taken the orders, prepped and made the food, served it, bussed it, and cleaned up all by himself.
On Saturday, we went to the bar to pick up food that would otherwise have been bound for the dumpster. We found it all laid out like an impromptu street market, burger buns and chips stacked high, kale going dark at the edges.
It’s a scene playing out all across the country, from the epicenters of coronavirus outbreaks in California, New York City, and Washington state to cities and towns and roadside diners even in rural America; at least 25 states have mandated the closure of restaurants, but with how fast the news is going, by the time you get to the period at the end of this sentence, that number may have grown. But even without a mandate, so many of these small businesses operate on such thin margins that most will look at their books in the coming weeks and months and find there is no other option. So where does that leave the nation’s 15.6 million restaurant workers?
Most people go through life never really having to think about the server, the busser, the barback, the line cook, or the dishwasher — just figures in black, just glimpses of people as you grab your coat and head out the door. But who are we, we nighttime people swimming through the dark streets, on the crosstown at 3 am, nodding off on the night’s last bus, sitting on the milk crates by the dumpster smoking a loosie and watching the cars on the overpass, smiling when we feel like screaming, dancing until the day interrupts us?
If you took the time to look, you might see the whole of us, the work relationship that blew up on us, the burn of dishwater on our forearms that doesn’t feel so bad a year in, the unpaid loans, the dirty aprons, the leftover food snuck home because we had only 10 bucks for the week, the drunk nights, the early days, and all the friends you had for just a little while.
Insofar as everyone must justify their existence against the market, we are an economic force. Jobs in the industry have grown by 84 percent between 2010 and 2018, according to the National Restaurant Association, and in the ever-venerated field of small business, locally owned restaurants employ nearly 8 million people, the second-largest number of any industry. As the Dow struggles to regain its footing, and people begin to accept that they may not see the inside of their favorite haunt until summer, the true power of our departure is only starting to be felt. But in the numbers, we once again lose the people.
We’re the dreaming people, the striving people, the laughing people. We’re painters and playwrights, comedians, dancers, animators, entrepreneurs, students, musicians, actors, drag queens, skate punks, and amateur boxers. We’re immigrants, from Ecuador, El Salvador, Senegal, the Philippines, and Iowa. We’re new fathers hoping to do it a little bit better. We’re old vets, cuts and burns writing their sentences over the tattoos on our forearms. We speak Creole and Spanish and Hindi. We work three jobs — babysitting, security, freelance PA work, selling weed, teaching yoga, bartending at another restaurant, taking care of our little cousins. We’re working on master’s degrees and business plans. We’ve got schemes and big ideas, weird shows and poetry readings. That’s me, that’s my people, caught at a glance through swinging doors.
Our lives are held together with duct tape; the system sucks it all out from us as soon as we get it. How are you ever going to get three months’ savings when your rent is two-thirds of the money you make and your loans are all the rest? How are you ever going to write your novel when you work 12 hours a day between two jobs?
Forty percent of Americans say they can’t deal with a $400 financial emergency, but now that emergency has come, for all of us, all at once. Most of us don’t know how we’re going to pay rent in a week — and beyond that is a dark jungle of unformed life that seems impossible to hack our way through. What happens now? How do we live? Nowhere is hiring, and bills are still coming. My greatest pillar of support, it seems, is from a Cinema Worker Solidarity Fund on GoFundMe. All these people are out in the cold, and we’ve barely started to grapple with how to help them.
Some economist somewhere, or more likely, a horde of them, is calculating what all this sudden loss will mean for the GDP, that highest measure of our livelihoods. But as historian Rutger Bregman (who had his moment of fame telling the billionaires at Davos to pay their taxes) points out in his book Utopia for Realists, the GDP hides as much as it reveals. “Community service, clean air, free refills on the house — none of these things make the GDP an iota bigger. … And that’s to say nothing of all the unpaid labor that doesn’t even qualify ... from volunteering to child care to cooking, which together represents more than half of all our work.”
It is that kind of work — the kind for which there is little or no financial remuneration — that makes a community. Free concerts at the park, classes at the library, one-woman shows, book clubs, volunteer work, community theater, and open mics are pursuits that require a person to also find a “survival job.” In other words, the very kind of work that puts someone in the service industry.
After this is all over, there will be a massive stock-taking, but if we only look at the numbers, we’ll miss something ineffable. Even if we won’t admit it, we tend to think that wealth measures a person. It telegraphs how much they have contributed, and what they are worth in the end. Every customer service worker can see it: the way a person walks into a store, how they get your attention. But I grant it nothing; all the wealth, the power, the status, the view from the 63rd floor doesn’t mean I hold you higher than the prep cook listening to her textbooks for night school on tape while she cuts a barrel full of Brussels sprouts. Human worth is that deep-down stuff, and our economy has missed it completely.
Part of modern working-class life in America, before Covid-19, is knowing that all those varied people will move along. They’ll find their way out of a survival job, or life will just hit them too hard one day, and they’ll miss a shift and get fired, or they’ll find a better gig, or any one of a thousand quiet ways people leave a restaurant or bar. They become a Facebook friend, an Instagram follow, and drift back into the static. Sometimes you think back on them and wonder if you ever knew them quite well enough to call them up and talk about nothing at all. You think, “Maybe I could have tried to know them a little more.”
At Nitehawk, like at restaurants around the country, it happened all at once. Seeing each other in the restaurant, at our little market gathering supplies for an uncertain future, it had the air of the last day of school, stretched tight over a well of panic. The final indignity of the moment, standing amid piles of spoiling food, seeing my friends on the edge of breakdowns, was that I couldn’t even give them a hug goodbye.
Some of us got drunk that night, the last time we’d be around other people for maybe months, hopping from apartment to apartment until the night grew long and we all went home, wondering if we’d ever see each other again. I could feel millions of people I’ll never meet, all over the country, playing their own variation of that same song.
A job isn’t a family, it’s a refuge in a river. But now we’ve all been swept away. Every working person in the United States who doesn’t have the luxury of working from home is now forced to choose between danger and exhaustion or poverty and uncertainty.
What is this moment going to show us when we look back on it? We’re now seeing the necessity of each industry and the people who comprise it in turn. Surprisingly, we’re finding that it’s the forgotten jobs we’re learning to appreciate most — the service industry worker, the grocery store clerk, the delivery person, the social worker, the teacher, the nurse.
Perhaps we ought to reorder our thinking on who builds a world worth living in, and then build a system that supports those people, not only now but always, because this crisis is one part pandemic but also one part systemic failure. A world of runaway economic inequality leaves our foundations shaky. Now, we are seeing the consequences — not just in the numbers, but for the people.
Luke Taylor is a writer, researcher, podcaster, and service industry worker in New York.


vox--2020-03-20--A little-known Silicon Valley psychiatrist has become one of the Democratic Party’s most powerful do

A little-known Silicon Valley psychiatrist has become one of the Democratic Party’s most powerful donors

A little known Silicon Valley psychiatrist has cemented herself among the most powerful donors in Democratic politics , thanks to a massive gift to support Elizabeth Warren ’ s failed presidential bid in its final weeks .
That money will make her among the most sought after political donors in the country up until November .
Karla Jurvetson , who has slowly been turning heads in the world of Bay Area fundraising , gave a total of $ 14.6 million in February to a super PAC backing Warren , according to new disclosures filed late Friday night .
Those donations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the entire 2020 presidential campaign , and ranks Jurvetson among brand-name Democratic donors like Michael Bloomberg and Tom Steyer in terms of total contributions to outside groups this cycle — and it makes her the biggest woman donor .
In this cycle , Steyer has given about $ 30 million to liberal groups , and Bloomberg about $ 15 million , not including their own presidential campaigns .
Jurvetson epitomizes how Silicon Valley donors can come out of nowhere to leave an imprint on the Democratic Party — something that has happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when wealthy tech executives are more motivated than ever to play electoral politics .
Jurvetson , a psychiatrist and the ex-wife of the famous venture capitalist Steve Jurvetson , had not been a major Democratic giver prior to 2018 , when she gave $ 5.4 million to a super PAC tied the pro-choice women ’ s group EMILY ’ s List .
That donation drew eyebrows because it was made in the form of shares of a non-American company , Baidu , which is very unusual in political fundraising .
But it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became one of the most generous Democratic donors .
A strong supporter of female candidates , Jurvetson emerged as one of the few big-money backers of Warren , at one point even buying ads on her behalf in Iowa that the candidate had to disavow .
And in a sign of her new influence , when Barack Obama visited Silicon Valley last fall to raise money for the Democratic Party , it was Jurvetson who got to host him .
Jurvetson has now given over $ 22 million in recent cycles to Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donation to the pro-Warren super PAC , called Persist PAC , is also a reminder of how Warren ’ s rhetoric did not always match her practice when it came to Silicon Valley money .
Warren was the most aggressive candidates toward Big Tech , vowing not to take its contributions and to break up its companies .
She for months lambasted the rest of the presidential field for blessing outside super PACs , only to flip in the final weeks of the campaign and support the outside group .
And while Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Silicon Valley contributors , her dashed presidential hopes in the final weeks were very much dependent on gifts from one of those donors .
Jurvetson has long evaded detection .
But now that the scale of Jurvetson ’ s giving is fully public , she ’ ll join the ranks of Silicon Valley billionaires like Reid Hoffman , Dustin Moskovitz , and Sean Parker , whose political funding the Democratic Party is counting on to try to oust Trump in November .

A little-known Silicon Valley psychiatrist has cemented herself among the most powerful donors in Democratic politics, thanks to a massive gift to support Elizabeth Warren’s failed presidential bid in its final weeks. That money will make her among the most sought after political donors in the country up until November.
Karla Jurvetson, who has slowly been turning heads in the world of Bay Area fundraising, gave a total of $14.6 million in February to a super PAC backing Warren, according to new disclosures filed late Friday night. Those donations together constitute one of the largest gifts of the entire 2020 presidential campaign, and ranks Jurvetson among brand-name Democratic donors like Mike Bloomberg and Tom Steyer in terms of total contributions to outside groups this cycle — and it makes her the biggest woman donor. In this cycle, Steyer has given about $30 million to liberal groups, and Bloomberg about $15 million, not including their own presidential campaigns.
Jurvetson epitomizes how Silicon Valley donors can come out of nowhere to leave an imprint on politics — something that has happened more often in the Trump era, when wealthy tech executives are more motivated than ever to play electoral politics. Jurvetson, a psychiatrist and the ex-wife of the famous venture capitalist Steve Jurvetson, had not been a major Democratic giver prior to 2018, when she gave $5.4 million to a super PAC tied to the pro-choice women’s group Emily’s List. That donation drew raised eyebrows because it was made in shares of a non-American company, Baidu, which is unusual in political fundraising.
But it has been during the 2020 cycle that she became one of the most generous Democratic donors. A strong supporter of female candidates, Jurvetson emerged as one of Warren’s few big-money backers, at one point even buying ads on her behalf in Iowa that the candidate had to disavow. And in a sign of her new influence, when Barack Obama visited Silicon Valley last fall to raise money for the Democratic Party, it was Jurvetson who got to host him.
Jurvetson has now given over $22 million in recent cycles to Democratic candidates and causes.
Jurvetson’s donation to the pro-Warren super PAC, called Persist PAC, is also a reminder of how Warren’s rhetoric did not always match her practice when it came to Silicon Valley money. Warren was the most aggressive candidate toward Big Tech, vowing not to take its contributions and to break up its companies. She lambasted the rest of the presidential field for blessing outside super PACs for months, only to flip in the final weeks of the campaign and support the outside group. And while Warren also criticized her rivals for their ties to Silicon Valley contributors, her dashed presidential hopes in the final weeks were very much dependent on gifts from one of those donors.
Jurvetson has long evaded much notice. But now that the scale of Jurvetson’s giving is fully public, she’ll join the ranks of Silicon Valley billionaires like Reid Hoffman, Dustin Moskovitz, and Sean Parker, whose political funding the Democratic Party is counting on to try to oust Trump in November.


vox--2020-03-20--Starbucks goes drive-thru only in response to coronavirus pandemic

Virtually every Starbucks location in America is transitioning to drive-thru-only to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus .
In a press release sent on March 20 , Starbucks announced that the policy would be put in place for at least two weeks and will supersede the chain ’ s original COVID-19 response , of making its cafes to-go only .
Many locations went so far as to remove seats and tables entirely to discourage lingering , but it wasn ’ t enough to keep crowds from forming .
“ Our cafes in some areas are experiencing high traffic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prevent the spread of this virus , ” Starbucks executive VP Rossann Williams said in a statement sent to employees .
A major exception to the new policy is that certain locations inside hospitals and health care centers — where exhausted doctors , nurses , and other healthcare professionals presumably need their caffeine fix as they battle the pandemic — will remain open .
The announcement also promises that “ Starbucks will pay all partners for the next 30 days , whether they choose to come to work or not , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ existing sick-leave policies .
That policy — unfortunately , a minority among major fast-food chains and food brands — previously announced an extension of “ catastrophe pay ” to employees effected by the pandemic , including those who received a positive diagnosis or had possibly been exposed to the virus .
For many employees , clearing the low bar for paid sick leave was not enough to protect workers or the dining public .
Earlier this week , a Philadelphia-based Starbucks barista started an online petition calling for the chain to suspend business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corporate-mandated sanitation policies and guaranteed sick leave , “ both customers AND partners are at risk of catching and spreading the virus ” when in Starbucks stores ; it urges Americans to take a “ national coffee break ” on March 23 to encourage the chain to close .
( It also notes that Starbucks locations in hospitals , which will remain open for to-go orders , are particularly high risk for employees . )
As of today , the petition had gathered more than 35,000 signatures .
Many fast-food brands have elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , potentially putting their workers at risk .
In China , where the coronavirus outbreak began in late January , Starbucks closed roughly half its stores in response to the outbreak ; by late February , the vast majority were back open .

Virtually every Starbucks location in America is transitioning to drive-thru-only to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. In a press release sent on March 20, Starbucks announced that the policy would be put in place for at least two weeks and will supersede the chain’s original COVID-19 response, of making its cafes to-go only.
Many locations went so far as to remove seats and tables entirely to discourage lingering, but it wasn’t enough to keep crowds from forming. “Our cafes in some areas are experiencing high traffic, and we need to do more to prevent the spread of this virus,” Starbucks executive VP Rossann Williams said in a statement sent to employees.
A major exception to the new policy is that certain locations inside hospitals and health care centers — where exhausted doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals presumably need their caffeine fix as they battle the pandemic — will remain open.
The announcement also promises that “Starbucks will pay all partners for the next 30 days, whether they choose to come to work or not,” a provision that improves on Starbucks’ existing sick-leave policies. That policy — unfortunately, a minority among major fast-food chains and food brands — previously announced an extension of “catastrophe pay” to employees effected by the pandemic, including those who received a positive diagnosis or had possibly been exposed to the virus.
For many employees, clearing the low bar for paid sick leave was not enough to protect workers or the dining public. Earlier this week, a Philadelphia-based Starbucks barista started an online petition calling for the chain to suspend business until further notice, arguing that despite corporate-mandated sanitation policies and guaranteed sick leave, “both customers AND partners are at risk of catching and spreading the virus” when in Starbucks stores; it urges Americans to take a “national coffee break” on March 23 to encourage the chain to close. (It also notes that Starbucks locations in hospitals, which will remain open for to-go orders, are particularly high risk for employees.) As of today, the petition had gathered more than 35,000 signatures.
Many fast-food brands have elected not to close or modify operations during the pandemic, potentially putting their workers at risk. In China, where the coronavirus outbreak began in late January, Starbucks closed roughly half its stores in response to the outbreak; by late February, the vast majority were back open.


vox--2020-03-20--The 2020 election calendar

The 2020 election calendar

Share All sharing options for : The 2020 election calendar The Democratic presidential primary has been going on for months .
But 2020 — the election year — is here , and it ’ s an understatement to say that it will be a busy year in US politics .
March began with Super Tuesday on March 3 : the biggest delegate prize of the primary calendar .
As the year continues , the primary calendar is scheduled to run through June , followed by the Democratic and Republican conventions ( in July and August , respectively ) , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , concerns about the Covid-19 coronavirus have led several states to move their primaries later in the calendar , including a last-minute change in Ohio .
That ’ s where this calendar comes in .
Here are the most important events of the 2020 election cycle .
Bookmark this page to refer back to , add it to your Google Calendar by clicking the plus sign on the bottom right of this page , or subscribe through a calendar app of your choice .
This page and the calendar subscriptions will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of our coverage from the June debates here .
Read all of our coverage from the July debates here .
Read all of our coverage of the September debate here .
• Second town hall on climate change on MSNBC Read all of our coverage from the October debate here .
Read all of our coverage from the November debate here .
Read all of our coverage from the December debate here .
Read all of our coverage from the Iowa caucuses here .
Read all of our coverage from the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our coverage from the South Carolina primary here .
Read all of our coverage from Super Tuesday here .
Read all of our coverage from the March 10 primaries here .
Read all of our coverage from the March 17 primaries here .

Share All sharing options for: The 2020 election calendar
Vox answers your biggest questions about the 2020 US presidential election .
This story is part of a group of stories called
The 2020 presidential election is ramping into high gear.
Joe Biden announced his running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris, and Democrats and Republicans held their first virtual conventions this summer. Biden and President Donald Trump accepted their parties’ official nominations for president, and the fall campaign season is upon us.
The presidential debates began September 29 and run through October, including the vice presidential debate on October 7. The second presidential debate, scheduled for October 15, was canceled after Trump tested positive for Covid-19, then refused to agree to debate virtually. One more debate is scheduled for October 22.
Election Day itself, of course, will fall on Tuesday, November 3.
Read on for the important events of the 2020 election cycle and bookmark this page to refer back to. You can also add it to your Google Calendar by clicking the plus sign on the bottom right of this page, or subscribe through a calendar app of your choice. This page and the calendar subscriptions will be updated as dates and information change.
And check out our guides on how to vote early and by mail.
September 2020
September 29
Presidential debate in Cleveland, Ohio, at the Case Western Reserve/Cleveland Clinic joint campus
October 2020
October 7
Vice presidential debate in Salt Lake City at the University of Utah
October 22
Presidential debate in Nashville, Tennessee, at Belmont University
November 2020
November 3
Election Day
Past 2020 election coverage
June 2019
June 26-27
Read all of our coverage from the June debates here.
July 2019
July 30-31
Read all of our coverage from the July debates here.
September 2019
September 4
September 12
Read all of our coverage of the September debate here.
September 19-20
October 2019
October 15
Read all of our coverage from the October debate here.
November 2019
November 20
Read all of our coverage from the November debate here.
December 2019
December 19
Read all of our coverage from the December debate here.
January 2020
January 14
February 2020
February 3
Iowa caucuses
Read all of our coverage from the Iowa caucuses here.
February 7
February 11
New Hampshire primaries
Read all of our coverage from the New Hampshire primaries here.
February 19
February 22
Nevada caucuses
February 25
February 29
South Carolina primary
Read all of our coverage from the South Carolina primary here.
March 2020
March 3 (Super Tuesday)
Alabama primaries (D, R)
American Samoa caucuses (D)
Arkansas primaries (D, R)
California primaries (D, R)
Colorado primaries (D, R)
Maine primaries (D, R)
Massachusetts primaries (D, R)
Minnesota primaries (D, R)
North Carolina primaries (D, R)
Oklahoma primaries (D, R)
Tennessee primaries (D, R)
Texas primaries (D, R)
Utah primaries (D, R)
Vermont primaries (D, R)
Virginia primary (D)
Democrats Abroad primary (through March 10)
Read all of our coverage from Super Tuesday here.
March 10
Idaho primaries (D, R)
Michigan primaries (D, R)
Mississippi primaries (D, R)
Missouri primaries (D, R)
North Dakota caucuses (D)
Washington primaries (D, R)
Read all of our coverage from the March 10 primaries here.
March 12
Virgin Islands caucuses
March 14
Guam caucuses (R)
Northern Marianas convention (D)
March 15
March 17
Arizona primary (D)
Florida primaries (D, R)
Illinois primaries (D, R)
Northern Marianas convention (R)
Read all of our coverage from the March 17 primaries here.
March 24
American Samoa caucuses (R)
April 2020
April 7
Wisconsin primaries (D, R; April 7 is the election date and mail-in vote postmark deadline following court rulings, as of 8 pm ET on April 6)
April 10
Alaska primary (D; vote-by-mail only; results will be available no later than 11:59 pm on April 11)
April 17
Wyoming caucuses (D; vote-by-mail only)
April 28
Ohio primaries (D, R; vote-by-mail only)
May 2020
May 2
Kansas primary (D)
Guam caucuses (D)
May 7-9
Wyoming state convention (R)
May 12
Nebraska primaries (D, R)
May 19
Oregon primaries (D, R)
June 2020
June 2
Delaware primaries (D, R)
District of Columbia primaries (D, R)
Indiana primaries (D, R)
Maryland primaries (D, R)
Montana primaries (D, R)
New Mexico primaries (D, R)
Pennsylvania primaries (D, R)
Rhode Island primaries (D, R)
South Dakota primaries (D, R)
June 6
Virgin Islands caucuses (D)
June 7
Puerto Rico primary (R)
June 9
Georgia primaries (D, R)
West Virginia primaries (D, R)
June 23
Kentucky primaries (D, R)
New York primaries (D, R)
July 2020
July 7
New Jersey primaries (D, R)
July 11
Louisiana primaries (D, R)
August 2020
August 11
Connecticut primaries (D, R)
August 17-20
Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Read our coverage of the Democratic convention here.
August 24-27
Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina
Read our coverage of the Republican convention here.