huffpost--2020-03-25--How To Cut Your Own Hair, If You Absolutely Must

Stylists ’ advice differs , no matter the length of your hair .
One stylist who advocates for waiting it out is Sophia El Alami of the Brian Graham Salon .
“ I strongly advise against [ cutting your hair at home ] .
Your stylist will be here when it ’ s all over , so if you possibly can wait , you really should , ” she told HuffPost .
She suggested delay tactics you can try before you pick up scissors for yourself : “ Now could be the time to try some new styles .
Brush @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side ― experiment a little .
Use some texturing hair spray to give it more texture and body as it ’ s growing in.
” Another idea is to dig deep in the closet for hair accessories you haven ’ t used in a while .
“ Tie a scarf around your head , or use barrettes , ” she said .
“ Barrettes are big right now.
” Perhaps after reading El Alami ’ s advice , you ’ ll work on cultivating patience with your follicles .
On the other hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand your hair for one more minute .
Could it be that all the worrying you ’ re doing has supercharged the blood flow to your scalp , leaving you looking like an Einstein bobblehead ?
If so , it is possible to take matters ― and scissors ― into your own hands with the help of some expert advice .
Step Two : Set up your station It ’ s time !
Move to your stylist ’ s station .
Wondering where that should be ?
According to stylist and colorist Tim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ + Spa , you ’ ll want to work in a small , enclosed space in which you easily can see what you ’ re doing and can sweep up when you ’ re done .
For most people , that ’ s the bathroom .
“ To make cleanup easier , you can lay down a few towels and shake them out after , ” he told HuffPost .
“ Hair is very lightweight , and it goes everywhere when you ’ re cutting it , so be prepared.
” Pro tip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snip away in the shower , it ’ s probably not a good idea .
“ You really need to have a well-lighted mirror in front of you to keep checking your work , ” he said .
You should cover up your clothes , even if it ’ s only that sweatshirt you ’ ve been wearing for the past six days .
If you have a rain poncho stowed with your camping gear , try that .
Otherwise , try a tip from Maryam Maquillage ( see below ) : Cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and slip it over your head for a salon cape that gets the job done .
It ’ s ideal if you have hair clippers , a feather razor or hair-cutting shears .
But these are desperate times , and it ’ s possible to make do with what ’ s on hand .
“ If you have sharp scissors that you only use for cutting cloth , those will work , ” Foster said .
“ With old scissors , the tips are usually the dullest , and you need the tips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use the scissors you use to cut your toenails , because that ’ s just gross.
” If in doubt , Foster suggested testing your scissors by snipping a tiny bit of hair as a test .
If it cuts easily without having to saw away at it , you ’ re good to go .
Step Three : What are we doing today ?
Have a conversation with your stylist ( yes , it ’ s yourself , but it ’ s still fun to pretend ) about what you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep bangs from falling in your eyes ?
Hoping for a trim around the ears for your short cut ?
Want to cut a couple of inches of split ends off the bottom ?
We ’ ve got you covered with expert videos below .
Enjoy the company of the most straight-talking stylist in all the land , Amber .
She is sure to win your award for “ Person I ’ d Most Like to Have a Beer With When This Is All Over.
” In the meantime , view this as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all in one .
Her 12-minute tutorial is a guilt-free zone .
“ It ’ s OK if you trim your bangs instead of going to your stylist , because everybody ’ s got the right to see , ” she earnestly says .
“ There ’ s not just one way to do anything , including bang trims , ” she adds philosophically .
By the time you ’ ve watched the video through once , you ’ ll be ready to follow her dictum to “ cut a little and check @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it.
” You ’ ll laugh , and possibly do a spit take , when she tells you to “ be careful not to poke yourself in the eyeball or cut your eyelashes.
” She even offers a texturing tip that ’ s “ only for professionals , ” in which she cautions amateurs not to be “ going and doing this and then telling me you cut your bangs off.
” When you ’ re done , you and Amber will have finally conquered those bangs .
More than 3 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to soak in the glamour of Maryam Maquillage herself or to actually trim their hair .
She offers clear step-by-step instructions on trimming straight , shoulder-length hair .
She ’ s also refreshingly honest , admitting that she ended up cutting off 2 1/2 inches when she only wanted 1 1/2 inches off , but , as she says with a shrug , “ That ’ s OK , my hair was dead anyway.
” She uses her fingers , not a ruler , but the final result looks absolutely perfect ― which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her own fabulous hair than with her expertise , so keep in mind that your mileage may vary .
Yes , Mell is funny , confident and laid-back , but , like the coolest teacher you loved in high school , she drops plenty of knowledge along the path to the perfect “ trimmy trim , ” as she calls it .
If you ’ ve been seeking an exact definition of “ hair maintenance , ” or some sidebar tips on keeping your hair so healthy that you won ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the person to help .
Just want to fix what ’ s happening on your neck and above your ears ?
Not interested in hearing someone ’ s life story before you get this job done ?
This is the video for someone who selects a barber based on the dual criteria of speed and silence , not artistic flair .
In a little over 11 brisk minutes , Mr .
Tips for Clips teaches you how to trim and fade a short hairstyle , including a special trick for cutting the back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Note : You do need to have an electric clipper to follow these instructions .
Naptural85 promises not only that her trim tips are super easy , but that they ’ ll work on natural , relaxed , curly and straight hair .
Plus , with her wide smile and friendly demeanor , she makes the whole idea seem not only possible , but fun to do .
She tells you right up front that this will be an easy process , and this short-and-sweet 9-minute video delivers on that promise .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hair , she demonstrates how to gather a few simple pieces of equipment ( hair shears , three types of combs and some optional duckbill clips ) , twist hair , then work back-to-front to remove dead ends .
Video highlight ?
Check her out at the 2-minute mark , when she pulls her split ends into view and mutters , “ Oh , my God , look at my hair.
” We , her fellow split-enders , can sympathize .

You’re scared. You’re bored. And with each passing day, you’re increasingly shaggy. Should you trim your hair at home? Not getting a haircut before the coronavirus pandemic hit has been on a lot of people’s minds:
Guess I shouldn't have canceled my haircut two weeks ago.
Gonna be cutting my hair over the sink like Dr. Richard Kimble. — Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) March 17, 2020
I deeply regret not getting a haircut before all this started! https://t.co/ti3iFaibvK — Lydia Polgreen (@lpolgreen) March 20, 2020
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Stylists’ advice differs, no matter the length of your hair. One stylist who advocates for waiting it out is Sophia El Alami of the Brian Graham Salon. “I strongly advise against [cutting your hair at home]. Your stylist will be here when it’s all over, so if you possibly can wait, you really should,” she told HuffPost.
She suggested delay tactics you can try before you pick up scissors for yourself: “Now could be the time to try some new styles. Brush it back, swoop it to the side ― experiment a little. Use some texturing hair spray to give it more texture and body as it’s growing in.” Another idea is to dig deep in the closet for hair accessories you haven’t used in a while. “Tie a scarf around your head, or use barrettes,” she said. “Barrettes are big right now.”
Perhaps after reading El Alami’s advice, you’ll work on cultivating patience with your follicles. On the other hand, perhaps you just can’t stand your hair for one more minute. Could it be that all the worrying you’re doing has supercharged the blood flow to your scalp, leaving you looking like an Einstein bobblehead? If so, it is possible to take matters ― and scissors ― into your own hands with the help of some expert advice.
We talked to stylists and prowled the internet for the very best advice on giving yourself a home trim. Even if things don’t turn out the way you wanted, remember that it’s only hair. For most of us, it’s a renewable resource. And in the meantime, you can wear a hat during Zoom calls.
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Step One: Arrive at “the salon”
Step outside your front door. (Don’t forget your key.) Now step back inside. Ta-da! You’re in the salon! Sit on the fanciest chair in the house and page through an old gossip magazine. Accept the receptionist’s offer of cucumber-infused water. (Hint: You might want to make some cucumber water.)
Step Two: Set up your station
It’s time! Move to your stylist’s station. Wondering where that should be? According to stylist and colorist Tim Foster from The District on 50th Salon + Spa, you’ll want to work in a small, enclosed space in which you easily can see what you’re doing and can sweep up when you’re done. For most people, that’s the bathroom.
“To make cleanup easier, you can lay down a few towels and shake them out after,” he told HuffPost. “Hair is very lightweight, and it goes everywhere when you’re cutting it, so be prepared.” Pro tip: While it may seem smart to snip away in the shower, it’s probably not a good idea. “You really need to have a well-lighted mirror in front of you to keep checking your work,” he said.
You should cover up your clothes, even if it’s only that sweatshirt you’ve been wearing for the past six days. If you have a rain poncho stowed with your camping gear, try that. Otherwise, try a tip from Maryam Maquillage (see below): Cut a hole in a plastic garbage bag and slip it over your head for a salon cape that gets the job done.
It’s ideal if you have hair clippers, a feather razor or hair-cutting shears. But these are desperate times, and it’s possible to make do with what’s on hand. “If you have sharp scissors that you only use for cutting cloth, those will work,” Foster said. “With old scissors, the tips are usually the dullest, and you need the tips for haircutting. And don’t use the scissors you use to cut your toenails, because that’s just gross.” If in doubt, Foster suggested testing your scissors by snipping a tiny bit of hair as a test. If it cuts easily without having to saw away at it, you’re good to go.
Advertisement
Step Three: What are we doing today?
Have a conversation with your stylist (yes, it’s yourself, but it’s still fun to pretend) about what you’re looking for. Do you need to keep bangs from falling in your eyes? Hoping for a trim around the ears for your short cut? Want to cut a couple of inches of split ends off the bottom? We’ve got you covered with expert videos below.
The stylists we interviewed and the videos we watched all said the same thing: Take it easy. “You’ve got nothing but time right now, so leave it a little longer at first, and you can always go back and trim off more,” Foster advised.
Bang trim
Enjoy the company of the most straight-talking stylist in all the land, Amber. She is sure to win your award for “Person I’d Most Like to Have a Beer With When This Is All Over.” In the meantime, view this as your virtual happy hour and bang trim all in one.
Her 12-minute tutorial is a guilt-free zone. “It’s OK if you trim your bangs instead of going to your stylist, because everybody’s got the right to see,” she earnestly says. “There’s not just one way to do anything, including bang trims,” she adds philosophically. By the time you’ve watched the video through once, you’ll be ready to follow her dictum to “cut a little and check it, cut a little and check it.”
Advertisement
You’ll laugh, and possibly do a spit take, when she tells you to “be careful not to poke yourself in the eyeball or cut your eyelashes.” She even offers a texturing tip that’s “only for professionals,” in which she cautions amateurs not to be “going and doing this and then telling me you cut your bangs off.” When you’re done, you and Amber will have finally conquered those bangs.
Trim ends on long, straight hair
More than 3 million people have viewed this video, whether just to soak in the glamour of Maryam Maquillage herself or to actually trim their hair. She offers clear step-by-step instructions on trimming straight, shoulder-length hair. She’s also refreshingly honest, admitting that she ended up cutting off 2 1/2 inches when she only wanted 1 1/2 inches off, but, as she says with a shrug, “That’s OK, my hair was dead anyway.” She uses her fingers, not a ruler, but the final result looks absolutely perfect ― which might have something more to do with her own fabulous hair than with her expertise, so keep in mind that your mileage may vary.
Trim curly hair
Mell, otherwise known as #ManesByMell, is a stylist with super-curly hair. In this 14-minute video, she dispels the myth that you can’t cut curly hair yourself and offers steps to removing thinned-out, broken-off and scraggly-looking locks. She also provides plenty of sass and wit along the way, delivering a performance that’s a combination of a hair tutorial and “My Cousin Vinny.”
Advertisement
Yes, Mell is funny, confident and laid-back, but, like the coolest teacher you loved in high school, she drops plenty of knowledge along the path to the perfect “trimmy trim,” as she calls it. If you’ve been seeking an exact definition of “hair maintenance,” or some sidebar tips on keeping your hair so healthy that you won’t have to trim as often, Mell is the person to help.
Trim short hair
Just want to fix what’s happening on your neck and above your ears? Not interested in hearing someone’s life story before you get this job done? This is the video for someone who selects a barber based on the dual criteria of speed and silence, not artistic flair. In a little over 11 brisk minutes, Mr. Tips for Clips teaches you how to trim and fade a short hairstyle, including a special trick for cutting the back without the help of a three-way mirror. Note: You do need to have an electric clipper to follow these instructions.
Trim natural hair
Naptural85 promises not only that her trim tips are super easy, but that they’ll work on natural, relaxed, curly and straight hair. Plus, with her wide smile and friendly demeanor, she makes the whole idea seem not only possible, but fun to do. She tells you right up front that this will be an easy process, and this short-and-sweet 9-minute video delivers on that promise. Without using heat methods that can harm hair, she demonstrates how to gather a few simple pieces of equipment (hair shears, three types of combs and some optional duckbill clips), twist hair, then work back-to-front to remove dead ends. Video highlight? Check her out at the 2-minute mark, when she pulls her split ends into view and mutters, “Oh, my God, look at my hair.” We, her fellow split-enders, can sympathize.


huffpost--2020-03-25--Striking Photos Show Empty Disney World As It Remains Closed During Coronavirus Pandemic

In response to the coronavirus pandemic , Disney theme parks around the world have closed their gates .
The impact of this closure is most striking at the company ’ s largest property at the Walt Disney World resort in Orlando , Florida .
The resort ’ s four theme parks , two water parks , hotels , and shopping centers have been closed down since March 16 .
In its announcement , the company hoped to open by the end of the month , but that is looking less likely .
On Tuesday , Orange County officials announced a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the photos of an empty Walt Disney World resort below .
Above : Disney ’ s Magic Kingdom theme park is seen empty on March 23 , 2020 .
The Millennium Falcon spaceship sits amid empty streets at an empty Star Wars : Galaxy ’ s Edge inside Disney ’ s Hollywood Studios theme park on March 16 , 2020 .
An AT-AT walker looms over empty streets at the Star Tours attraction inside Disney ’ s Hollywood Studios theme park on March 16 , 2020 .
An aerial view of Disney ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 23 , 2020 .
The golf course of the Four Seasons Orlando that is located on Walt Disney World property is closed .
An empty parking lot that is usually filled with cars from visitors who are planning on visiting the Magic Kingdom theme park .
A view of the Magic Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World as it remains closed on March 23 , 2020 .
Language has been added to this article to specify the golf course in the photograph above .

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Disney theme parks around the world have closed their gates. The impact of this closure is most striking at the company’s largest property at the Walt Disney World resort in Orlando, Florida.
The resort’s four theme parks, two water parks, hotels, and shopping centers have been closed down since March 16. In its announcement, the company hoped to open by the end of the month, but that is looking less likely. On Tuesday, Orange County officials announced a shelter-in-place order for two weeks.
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See the photos of an empty Walt Disney World resort below.
Above: Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park is seen empty on March 23, 2020.
Alex Menendez via Getty Images
Walt Disney World toll plazas remain closed to the public on March 23, 2020.
Gregg Newton/Reuters
The Millennium Falcon spaceship sits amid empty streets at an empty Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park on March 16, 2020.
Gregg Newton/Reuters
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An AT-AT walker looms over empty streets at the Star Tours attraction inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park on March 16, 2020.
Alex Menendez via Getty Images
An aerial view of Disney’s Contemporary Resort hotel while closed on March 23, 2020.
Alex Menendez via Getty Images
The golf course of the Four Seasons Orlando that is located on Walt Disney World property is closed.
Gregg Newton/Reuters
Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park is empty of visitors on March 16, 2020.
Alex Menendez via Getty Images
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An empty parking lot that is usually filled with cars from visitors who are planning on visiting the Magic Kingdom theme park.
Gregg Newton/Reuters
Empty streets inside Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park.
Alex Menendez via Getty Images
A view of the Magic Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World as it remains closed on March 23, 2020.
Alex Menendez via Getty Images
Disney’s Epcot theme park as seen on March 23, 2020.
Alex Menendez via Getty Images
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Disney Springs shopping areas remain closed to the public on March 23, 2020.


huffpost--2020-03-25--I'm An ER Doctor In NYC. Trump's Coronavirus Plan Isn't Just Dangerous, It's Deadly.

I am an emergency medicine resident physician in one of the biggest hospital systems in New York City , the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States .
In the past several weeks , I have taken care of countless patients with COVID-19 ― some who didn ’ t seem so sick and some blue in the face and gasping for air 70 times a minute .
I have put my face inches from theirs and inserted breathing tubes into their trachea , putting myself and everyone else in the room at exponentially higher risk of contracting this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a room full of coughing patients for 60 hours a week , I have worried about my own safety now and in the coming months as this pandemic gets worse and our completely inadequate supply of personal protective equipment rapidly disappears .
There is a major shortage of face masks , along with other supplies , across the country and without them , it can be next to impossible to keep health care workers safe and working to support the increasing number of patients who are arriving at our hospital and clinic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients home and I have seen some patients die right in front of my eyes .
I have spoken on the phone to the sobbing mother of a young man admitted to the intensive care unit , and told her , “ No , you are not allowed to enter the hospital to see your critically ill son because we are not letting family members into the hospital during this pandemic.
” To say that I have experienced countless heartbreaking moments over the past several weeks would be an understatement .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will run out of hospital beds and ventilators .
The number of critically ill COVID-19 patients who come to my hospital seems to double every day .
If things continue this way , I will soon be forced to make decisions about who deserves a shot at life and who I will allow to die , and that is an unthinkable thing to have to consider , much less do .
Tell me ― when there is only one ventilator available , should it go to the young nurse or the elderly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advanced directive that says “ do not intubate/do not resuscitate ” ?
How about the single mother of three ?
Or the deeply respected emergency medicine attending doctor I worked with last week ?
How about the middle-aged man with some medical comorbidities and corny jokes who reminds me of my father ― or is my father ?
Or maybe the person in prison for rape ?
How about the person of color in jail for marijuana possession ?
How about a beloved and wealthy celebrity ?
How about the homeless person with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fellow medical professionals and me when we try to help ?
How about the homeless person who lives on my street corner and smiles at me every day and says “ God bless you ” ?
It ’ s not so easy choose , is it ?
If things continue this way , I will soon be forced to make decisions about who deserves a shot at life and who I will allow to die and that is an unthinkable thing to have to consider , much less do .
This past week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency department and the newly created COVID respiratory unit , I have done everything I can think of to stop that nightmare scenario from arriving .
I have posted on social media begging my friends and family to stay home .
I have signed countless petitions and contacted my local government pleading for more personal protective equipment and ventilators .
If I learn of other things I can do , I will do those , too .
My governor , Andrew Cuomo , has tirelessly worked to obtain more personal protective equipment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationalize the effort to acquire medical supplies and you have denied him .
He ’ s begged for citizens to stay home and , while some are listening , many are not and if they don ’ t , it will be disastrous .
But there ’ s only so much the governor ― or any of us ― can do alone .
At this point , there may be only so much we can do together .
But we must try .
On Tuesday you told Fox News you would “ love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raring to go by Easter.
” You said you chose Easter because , “ you will have packed churches all over our country , I think it would be a beautiful time and it is just about the timeline that I think is right.
” The thought of this makes me nauseous .
If we do that , exponentially more people will get this disease , our hospital system will not have the capacity to handle it , and health care professionals like me will have to let countless people die while continuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibly the lives of the people we love ― at risk .
When we run out of ventilators ― and we will if we lift the social distancing restrictions that are in place and this pandemic continues to spread as it already has ― I will not be ready to make these decisions about who deserves to live and who deserves to die .
When those moments come , I do not know how I will be able to sleep at night .
Will you ?
Now is not the time to let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power to be remembered as someone who did the right thing .
I beg you to help me and other health care workers save countless lives ― possibly including our own ― so that we as a nation don ’ t have to suffer the unthinkable devastation looming on the horizon .
I beg you to take this pandemic more seriously and I am begging you to do it now .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Dear Mr. President,
I am an emergency medicine resident physician in one of the biggest hospital systems in New York City, the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. In the past several weeks, I have taken care of countless patients with COVID-19 ― some who didn’t seem so sick and some blue in the face and gasping for air 70 times a minute. I have put my face inches from theirs and inserted breathing tubes into their trachea, putting myself and everyone else in the room at exponentially higher risk of contracting this disease.
As I’ve sat in a room full of coughing patients for 60 hours a week, I have worried about my own safety now and in the coming months as this pandemic gets worse and our completely inadequate supply of personal protective equipment rapidly disappears. There is a major shortage of face masks, along with other supplies, across the country and without them, it can be next to impossible to keep health care workers safe and working to support the increasing number of patients who are arriving at our hospital and clinic doors.
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I have sent some not-so-sick patients home and I have seen some patients die right in front of my eyes. I have spoken on the phone to the sobbing mother of a young man admitted to the intensive care unit, and told her, “No, you are not allowed to enter the hospital to see your critically ill son because we are not letting family members into the hospital during this pandemic.” To say that I have experienced countless heartbreaking moments over the past several weeks would be an understatement.
In the next couple of days or weeks, we will run out of hospital beds and ventilators. The number of critically ill COVID-19 patients who come to my hospital seems to double every day. If things continue this way, I will soon be forced to make decisions about who deserves a shot at life and who I will allow to die, and that is an unthinkable thing to have to consider, much less do.
Tell me ― when there is only one ventilator available, should it go to the young nurse or the elderly woman with multiple comorbidities who has an advanced directive that says “do not intubate/do not resuscitate”? How about the single mother of three? Or the deeply respected emergency medicine attending doctor I worked with last week? How about the middle-aged man with some medical comorbidities and corny jokes who reminds me of my father ― or is my father? Or maybe the person in prison for rape? How about the person of color in jail for marijuana possession? How about a beloved and wealthy celebrity? How about the homeless person with alcohol use disorder who spits on my fellow medical professionals and me when we try to help? How about the homeless person who lives on my street corner and smiles at me every day and says “God bless you”? It’s not so easy choose, is it?
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“If things continue this way, I will soon be forced to make decisions about who deserves a shot at life and who I will allow to die and that is an unthinkable thing to have to consider, much less do.”
This past week, between 12-hour shifts working in the emergency department and the newly created COVID respiratory unit, I have done everything I can think of to stop that nightmare scenario from arriving. I have posted on social media begging my friends and family to stay home. I have signed countless petitions and contacted my local government pleading for more personal protective equipment and ventilators. If I learn of other things I can do, I will do those, too.
My governor, Andrew Cuomo, has tirelessly worked to obtain more personal protective equipment and ventilators. He has begged you to nationalize the effort to acquire medical supplies and you have denied him. He’s begged for citizens to stay home and, while some are listening, many are not and if they don’t, it will be disastrous. But there’s only so much the governor ― or any of us ― can do alone. At this point, there may be only so much we can do together. But we must try.
On Tuesday you told Fox News you would “ love to have the country opened up and raring to go by Easter.” You said you chose Easter because, “you will have packed churches all over our country, I think it would be a beautiful time and it is just about the timeline that I think is right.” The thought of this makes me nauseous. If we do that, exponentially more people will get this disease, our hospital system will not have the capacity to handle it, and health care professionals like me will have to let countless people die while continuing to put our own lives ― and possibly the lives of the people we love ― at risk.
When we run out of ventilators ― and we will if we lift the social distancing restrictions that are in place and this pandemic continues to spread as it already has ― I will not be ready to make these decisions about who deserves to live and who deserves to die. When those moments come, I do not know how I will be able to sleep at night. Will you? Now is not the time to let our guards down.
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You have the power to be remembered as someone who did the right thing. I beg you to help me and other health care workers save countless lives ― possibly including our own ― so that we as a nation don’t have to suffer the unthinkable devastation looming on the horizon. I beg you to take this pandemic more seriously and I am begging you to do it now.
Sincerely,
Rachel Sobolev, MD
Rachel Sobolev is a second year emergency medicine resident in New York City. She feels passionately about being right at the intersection of health care and current events, and providing high quality health care to all types of people regardless of their background.


huffpost--2020-03-25--Elton John To Host Celeb-Packed TV, Radio Concert As Coronavirus Antidote

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) — Elton John is hosting a “ living room ” concert aimed at bolstering American spirits during the coronavirus crisis and saluting those countering it , iHeartMedia and Fox said Wednesday .
Alicia Keys , Billie Eilish , Mariah Carey , the Backstreet Boys , Tim McGraw and Billie Joe Armstrong are scheduled to take part in the event airing at 9-10 p.m. EDT Sunday on Fox TV and on iHeartMedia radio stations .
The artists will be filmed with cell phones , cameras and audio equipment in their homes “ to ensure the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to a statement .
The event will take the time slot that was to belong to the iHeartRadio Music Awards , which became part of a wave of public-event postponements and cancellations because of the pandemic .
Besides performances , the commercial-free concert will honor health professionals , first responders and others who are “ putting their lives in harm ’ s way to help their neighbors and fight the spread of the virus , ” the media companies said .
Viewers will be asked to support two of the charitable organizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic : Feeding America and First Responders Children ’ s Foundation .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Elton John is hosting a “living room” concert aimed at bolstering American spirits during the coronavirus crisis and saluting those countering it, iHeartMedia and Fox said Wednesday.
Alicia Keys, Billie Eilish, Mariah Carey, the Backstreet Boys, Tim McGraw and Billie Joe Armstrong are scheduled to take part in the event airing at 9-10 p.m. EDT Sunday on Fox TV and on iHeartMedia radio stations.
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The artists will be filmed with cell phones, cameras and audio equipment in their homes “to ensure the health and safety of all involved,” according to a statement. The event will take the time slot that was to belong to the iHeartRadio Music Awards, which became part of a wave of public-event postponements and cancellations because of the pandemic.
Besides performances, the commercial-free concert will honor health professionals, first responders and others who are “putting their lives in harm’s way to help their neighbors and fight the spread of the virus,” the media companies said.
Viewers will be asked to support two of the charitable organizations aiding victims and first responders during the pandemic: Feeding America and First Responders Children’s Foundation.
Fox’s digital platform also will carry the concert.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.


huffpost--2020-03-24--New Coronavirus Bill Has 'Unemployment Insurance On Steroids'

The newest draft of a bill to reduce the economic damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic includes the most dramatic expansion of unemployment insurance in U.S. history .
“ This is a great plan .
What it says is if you lose your job in this crisis , you can be furloughed by your employer , ” Schumer said on the floor on Tuesday .
Normally , workers can only qualify for benefits if they ’ re laid off through no fault of their own from a traditional payroll job , and the benefits would only replace a portion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with benefits averaging $ 364 per week .
The new bill will add $ 600 per week to whatever a worker would normally receive if they ’ re laid off due to the coronavirus fallout , according to a Democratic aid familiar with the negotiations , which for many workers would amount to full wage replacement .
The extra cash would last for four months .
Workers will be eligible even if they ’ re not in traditional jobs , if they work only part-time , or if they are self-employed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ freelancers will also be eligible .
“ Freelancers , gig workers , and independent contractors have been excluded from unemployment insurance , ” Sen. Ron Wyden ( D-Ore. ) said in a statement .
“ A key part of this expansion is filing those gaps so that those who are self-employed , as well as those who are sick or quarantined will be covered for the first time.
” A previous coronavirus relief bill included modest provisions encouraging states to relax work search requirements , which are a standard part of the unemployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a pandemic , when the government actually wants people to stay home .
That earlier bill also wanted states to eliminate waiting weeks that delay benefits to people who ’ ve just filed claims .
The new bill will eliminate waiting weeks and add an extra 13 weeks of federally funded benefits for people who run out of the standard 26 weeks of state benefits .
( Some states , such as Florida , offer less . )
The new unemployment insurance provisions are the result of negotiations between Schumer and Treasury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill Congress is racing to pass this week aimed at propping up the U.S. economy and giving relief to workers hit hard by the epidemic .
The deal still needs a sign-off from congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump .
The unemployment provisions were not one of the major sticking points of the legislation .
Democrats complained loudly about a provision giving what they considered excessive discretion to the Trump administration to funnel billions toward industries harmed by the outbreak .
Schumer said Democrats had fought for more oversight of the funds ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t have complained so much , given the more generous unemployment benefits .
Unemployment claims rose modestly last week , but only to about 281,000 .
New claims are expected to surge above 1 million as a result of businesses closing due to the outbreak .
“ With more than 2 million Americans losing their jobs overnight , with millions more to follow , states face an unprecedented challenge in administering their unemployment insurance programs , ” Wyden said , noting that the earlier bill provided extra funding for state unemployment offices to @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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The newest draft of a bill to reduce the economic damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic includes the most dramatic expansion of unemployment insurance in U.S. history.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) described it as “unemployment insurance on steroids.”
“This is a great plan. What it says is if you lose your job in this crisis, you can be furloughed by your employer,” Schumer said on the floor on Tuesday.
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Lawmakers announced the overall deal had been finalized early Wednesday morning.
Normally, workers can only qualify for benefits if they’re laid off through no fault of their own from a traditional payroll job, and the benefits would only replace a portion of their lost wages — typically about half, with benefits averaging $364 per week.
The new bill will add $600 per week to whatever a worker would normally receive if they’re laid off due to the coronavirus fallout, according to a Democratic aid familiar with the negotiations, which for many workers would amount to full wage replacement. The extra cash would last for four months. Workers will be eligible even if they’re not in traditional jobs, if they work only part-time, or if they are self-employed. Gig workers, independent contractors, and freelancers will also be eligible.
“Freelancers, gig workers, and independent contractors have been excluded from unemployment insurance,” Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said in a statement. “A key part of this expansion is filing those gaps so that those who are self-employed, as well as those who are sick or quarantined will be covered for the first time.”
A previous coronavirus relief bill included modest provisions encouraging states to relax work search requirements, which are a standard part of the unemployment system but don’t make sense in a pandemic, when the government actually wants people to stay home. That earlier bill also wanted states to eliminate waiting weeks that delay benefits to people who’ve just filed claims.
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The new bill will eliminate waiting weeks and add an extra 13 weeks of federally funded benefits for people who run out of the standard 26 weeks of state benefits. (Some states, such as Florida, offer less.)
The new unemployment insurance provisions are the result of negotiations between Schumer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin over a multi-trillion emergency bill Congress is racing to pass this week aimed at propping up the U.S. economy and giving relief to workers hit hard by the epidemic. The deal still needs a sign-off from congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump.
The unemployment provisions were not one of the major sticking points of the legislation. Democrats complained loudly about a provision giving what they considered excessive discretion to the Trump administration to funnel billions toward industries harmed by the outbreak. Schumer said Democrats had fought for more oversight of the funds; Republicans repeatedly complained that Democrats shouldn’t have complained so much, given the more generous unemployment benefits.
Unemployment claims rose modestly last week, but only to about 281,000. New claims are expected to surge above 1 million as a result of businesses closing due to the outbreak.
“With more than 2 million Americans losing their jobs overnight, with millions more to follow, states face an unprecedented challenge in administering their unemployment insurance programs,” Wyden said, noting that the earlier bill provided extra funding for state unemployment offices to deal with a surge of claims.


huffpost--2020-04-09--The Strategy Behind All Those Coronavirus Ads You're Seeing

Illustration : Damon Dahlen/HuffPost ; Photos : Getty Images Brands are ditching their usual ad campaigns to make room for coronavirus-centered content .
But is it paying off ?
As we make our way through the socially distant life of the COVID-19 pandemic , advertising agencies and their clients are facing an unprecedented level of uncertainty .
The Interactive Advertising Bureau reported that 74 % of media buyers , planners and brands say the coronavirus will have a bigger impact on advertising than the 2008 financial crisis .
Overall spending on digital ads is down 33 % while spending on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what companies had expected to lay out .
But as Nielsen data shows , when people are forced to stay inside , they watch about 60 % more content than usual — and brands are taking note .
They ’ re ditching their usual ad campaigns to make room for coronavirus-centered content .
Ikea is urging us to embrace our abodes , Hershey ’ s chocolate is asking us to spread love from a distance , and Hotels.com ’ s Captain Obvious is stating the obvious : Just stay home .
Commercial shoots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut down amid the outbreak .
But that hasn ’ t stopped advertisers , marketers and creators from imagining new ways to attract the eyes of the millions of people at home watching television and scrolling through as many digital platforms as humanly possible every minute of each day .
And according to experts in the field , brands could effectively enter the COVID-19 conversation , depending on their category , geography and philosophy .
“ Marketing pretense and fabrication will be sniffed out in seconds , ” Jason Bagley , an executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told HuffPost .
“ But if brands know who they are , then all they have to do is respond authentically and courageously to whatever is currently happening , and it will connect .
That ’ s a brand ’ s best insurance.
” A similar response happened with Ford , which was the first carmaker to run ads offering financial relief programs to help customers affected by the outbreak .
Now , the entire auto industry is rallying behind this approach .
Used car retailer CarMax , for example , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are frequently appearing during morning shows like “ Today.
” Like Doner , some production teams are sending out one photographer to capture footage while other agencies are relying on pre-taped , animated or miscellaneous content to splice together a piece .
Standups are being recorded via Zoom or other video platforms , and audio taping is being done remotely .
Most of the ads we ’ re seeing were created quickly using resources the respective creators already had on hand .
“ We are finding that makers want to make , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find innovative ways to contribute right now , which can happen outside of big shoots with high-end production values , ” said Eric Baldwin , another executive creative director at Wieden+Kennedy Portland .
“ With health and safety guidance in mind , we ’ ve found ways to crowd-source filmmakers , livestream-capture performances , remote-operate small shoots , and brief artists to create in their home studios , and we are utilizing our emerging tech capabilities in ways that will change the landscape for our clients.
” “ The worst thing that agencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start from the perceived production limitation and reverse engineer all their ideas from there , ” Bagley added .
“ When you look back over the past decade at some of the best ideas we ’ ve seen , many of them pioneered totally original forms of production and execution.
” Although there are a lot of creative juices flowing , many of the ads today feel like public service announcements , with their static shots or b-roll scenes , voiceovers and animated text .
W+K ’ s text-only spot for McDonald ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can still be here to take your order.
” And David The Agency ’ s Budweiser commercial ― with images of health care professionals , teachers and other essential workers ― declares that the brand is shifting its sports investments to take care of those on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 .
The Ad Council has been looking to its own history when creating coronavirus content , which of course includes PSAs and urgent messaging around the national crisis .
So far , the nonprofit has worked on the # @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The More You Know ” spots and Sesame Workshop ’ s family-focused segments , as well as with organizations like Feeding America and AARP .
Alongside a host of partners that have donated time , talent and resources , the Ad Council — which started during World War II and continued its work in the aftermath of tragedies like 9/11 and Superstorm Sandy — is aiming to quickly distribute critical , life-saving information .
“ Our mission has always been to harness the power of communications for social good , and in times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and confusion are reaching across the globe — our work is more important than ever , ” the council ’ s president and CEO , Lisa Sherman , told HuffPost .
“ We are proud to do our part to bring the industry together to provide guidance , education , support and comfort.
” After convening with the White House , the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the Ad Council ’ s campaign kicked off with messaging about higher-risk populations , social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s leaning into mental health issues and the impact of isolation .
The content is all unbranded and open source for media companies and platforms to customize for their own channels .
MTV , ViacomCBS , ABC/Disney , WarnerMedia , Amazon , Apple , Facebook , Google and HuffPost ’ s parent company Verizon Media are just some of the platforms that have been part of the push .
On Wednesday , the Ad Council released new research regarding Americans ’ varied responses to the coronavirus pandemic .
The “ Coping with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by agency C+R Research , highlights how brands , foundations , media and other mission-driven organizations can help address the needs of citizens during the pandemic .
A nationally representative sample of 1,000 English-speaking adults across the United States was surveyed online between April 3 and April 5 on topics including needs , worries , connectedness , emotional well-being and unanswered questions .
The findings show that the “ health of frontline workers ” and “ people not taking the pandemic seriously ” remain high on the list of concerns .
So far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to brands ’ COVID-19 marketing approaches .
An Ace Metrix report released April 1 found that people are open to and appreciative of efforts to reference the global crisis .
On average , coronavirus ads scored 18 % higher on relevance than the industry norm , 11 % higher on likability and 12 % higher on information .
But consumers said actions speak louder than words : They don ’ t want to see brands grabbing for cash ; they want to know what brands are doing to help or give back .

These days when you turn on the TV, the last thing you want to see is a toilet paper commercial.
As we make our way through the socially distant life of the COVID-19 pandemic, advertising agencies and their clients are facing an unprecedented level of uncertainty. The Interactive Advertising Bureau reported that 74% of media buyers, planners and brands say the coronavirus will have a bigger impact on advertising than the 2008 financial crisis. Overall spending on digital ads is down 33% while spending on traditional media is down 39% from what companies had expected to lay out.
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Commercial shoots, like all film productions, have shut down amid the outbreak. But that hasn’t stopped advertisers, marketers and creators from imagining new ways to attract the eyes of the millions of people at home watching television and scrolling through as many digital platforms as humanly possible every minute of each day. And according to experts in the field, brands could effectively enter the COVID-19 conversation, depending on their category, geography and philosophy.
“Marketing pretense and fabrication will be sniffed out in seconds,” Jason Bagley, an executive creative director at ad agency Wieden+Kennedy Portland, told HuffPost. “But if brands know who they are, then all they have to do is respond authentically and courageously to whatever is currently happening, and it will connect. That’s a brand’s best insurance.”
Take Guinness, which was one of the first brands to address the coronavirus head-on. In the lead-up to St. Patrick’s Day, the beer company released a poignant message about the cancellation of celebrations in light of safety guidelines. “Don’t worry, we’ll march again,” the narrator says as footage of a parade appears on screen.
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Ace Metrix research found that the spot earned positive responses for likability, relatability and information delivered, with 7 in 10 beer drinkers having increased purchase intent.
A similar response happened with Ford, which was the first carmaker to run ads offering financial relief programs to help customers affected by the outbreak. Now, the entire auto industry is rallying behind this approach. Used car retailer CarMax, for example, has ramped up its presence with pandemic-pegged ads that are frequently appearing during morning shows like “Today.”
Motor City can pull at the heartstrings, too. On March 31, the Doner ad agency released “When the Motor Stops,” a black-and-white spot featuring the eerie, empty streets and desolate landmarks of Detroit. “Here, we don’t stop in the name of fear,” the narrator says. “Here, we stop in the name of love.”
“The idea for this film came from a young brand strategist ... who said, ‘We can’t make ventilators or masks — that’s not in our skillset — but we can make content,’” Jimmy Kollin, Doner’s executive vice president of business development and communications, told HuffPost.
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From there, Zeke Anders, director of content production, built a camera rig for his car and shot the deserted streets of Detroit before editing the footage on his at-home system. Copywriter Olivia Hill recorded the voiceover in her closet before an audio engineer mixed it from home. “None of the content was pre-shot,” Kollin said. “And everyone worked separately to bring a powerful film together.”
Like Doner, some production teams are sending out one photographer to capture footage while other agencies are relying on pre-taped, animated or miscellaneous content to splice together a piece. Standups are being recorded via Zoom or other video platforms, and audio taping is being done remotely. Most of the ads we’re seeing were created quickly using resources the respective creators already had on hand.
“We are finding that makers want to make, and the best artists want to help find innovative ways to contribute right now, which can happen outside of big shoots with high-end production values,” said Eric Baldwin, another executive creative director at Wieden+Kennedy Portland. “With health and safety guidance in mind, we’ve found ways to crowd-source filmmakers, livestream-capture performances, remote-operate small shoots, and brief artists to create in their home studios, and we are utilizing our emerging tech capabilities in ways that will change the landscape for our clients.”
“The worst thing that agencies and brands can do right now is start from the perceived production limitation and reverse engineer all their ideas from there,” Bagley added. “When you look back over the past decade at some of the best ideas we’ve seen, many of them pioneered totally original forms of production and execution.”
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Although there are a lot of creative juices flowing, many of the ads today feel like public service announcements, with their static shots or b-roll scenes, voiceovers and animated text. W+K’s text-only spot for McDonald’s highlights the line, “We can still be here to take your order.” And David The Agency’s Budweiser commercial ― with images of health care professionals, teachers and other essential workers ― declares that the brand is shifting its sports investments to take care of those on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19.
“People are looking for truth, authenticity and human connection from brands more than ever,” Bagley said.
The Ad Council has been looking to its own history when creating coronavirus content, which of course includes PSAs and urgent messaging around the national crisis. So far, the nonprofit has worked on the #AloneTogether campaign, NBC’s “The More You Know” spots and Sesame Workshop’s family-focused segments, as well as with organizations like Feeding America and AARP. Alongside a host of partners that have donated time, talent and resources, the Ad Council — which started during World War II and continued its work in the aftermath of tragedies like 9/11 and Superstorm Sandy — is aiming to quickly distribute critical, life-saving information.
“Our mission has always been to harness the power of communications for social good, and in times like now — when unease, fear and confusion are reaching across the globe — our work is more important than ever,” the council’s president and CEO, Lisa Sherman, told HuffPost. “We are proud to do our part to bring the industry together to provide guidance, education, support and comfort.”
In times like these, it’s more important than ever to come together.
IBM is proud to join the #StayHome initiative to encourage everyone to stay home if you can to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Together we can save lives. #AloneTogether pic.twitter.com/YQu5g2M3Nx — IBM at 🏠 (@IBM) April 8, 2020
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After convening with the White House, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Ad Council’s campaign kicked off with messaging about higher-risk populations, social distancing and hygiene. But now it’s leaning into mental health issues and the impact of isolation. The content is all unbranded and open source for media companies and platforms to customize for their own channels. MTV, ViacomCBS, ABC/Disney, WarnerMedia, Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google and HuffPost’s parent company Verizon Media are just some of the platforms that have been part of the push.
On Wednesday, the Ad Council released new research regarding Americans’ varied responses to the coronavirus pandemic. The “Coping with COVID-19” study, conducted pro bono by agency C+R Research, highlights how brands, foundations, media and other mission-driven organizations can help address the needs of citizens during the pandemic. A nationally representative sample of 1,000 English-speaking adults across the United States was surveyed online between April 3 and April 5 on topics including needs, worries, connectedness, emotional well-being and unanswered questions. The findings show that the “health of frontline workers” and “people not taking the pandemic seriously” remain high on the list of concerns.
So far, consumers appear to be highly receptive to brands’ COVID-19 marketing approaches. An Ace Metrix report released April 1 found that people are open to and appreciative of efforts to reference the global crisis. On average, coronavirus ads scored 18% higher on relevance than the industry norm, 11% higher on likability and 12% higher on information. But consumers said actions speak louder than words: They don’t want to see brands grabbing for cash; they want to know what brands are doing to help or give back.
The study also found that consumers would rather hear “COVID-19” than some vague reference to “the times.” And yes, quality still matters — people want information but also want to be entertained, as evidenced by the conversation on social media.
I’l watching TV shows all filmed before #coronavirus & suddenly many of the commercials start talking about “In these difficult times . . . “ & I feel like I’m repeatedly awakening from pleasant dreams to a real-life that’s a nightmare!😿 — Deanna O 😸 (@DeannaONaperton) April 7, 2020
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Tired of all the coronavirus-themed “We care” TV commercials. Bring back the idiots who are stunned that the Chevy Equinox won a J.D. Power Award for Best Seat Belts — Jason O. Gilbert (@gilbertjasono) April 8, 2020
Commercials changed quick AF for this #Coronavirus era huh? All these commercials sound calming and reassuring now. — M’BlockU (@rodimusprime) April 6, 2020
Some brands aren’t fortunate enough to be able to adapt to the circumstances. For the time being, ads for cinemas, hotels and airlines are irrelevant. It’s impossible, and frankly wrong, to promote a popcorn deal at AMC Theatres or a stay at a Marriott property when world leaders are telling citizens to stay at home. So, ads for these businesses have essentially disappeared.
At this point, the majority of advertisers have changed their messaging, pushing mission-based and cause-related marketing over simply selling their products. NBCUniversal advertising and partnerships chairman Linda Yaccarino announced this week that the company’s channels will run less commercial time and more uninterrupted content, but will waive fees for creative services and resources to help marketers shift their plans.
“Some brands are feeling disruption more than others, but I think we can all agree everyone is having to prepare for the new business and cultural landscape to come,” Baldwin of W+K said.
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Doner CEO David DeMuth agreed: “Some are postponing, some are dialing back, others are doubling down. But coming out of this, I think consumers are going to look to brands, especially admired brands, to give them permission to get out and buy.”
The advertising and marketing world, like the economy itself, will no doubt suffer greatly in the weeks and months ahead. People everywhere are losing friends and family members as well as jobs, paychecks and health insurance to the coronavirus. Consumers aren’t spending as much as they used to, and they want brands to show their compassionate, philanthropic side.
As we’ve all had to do, brands must adapt to flatten the curve. But here’s hoping finger lickin’ good times are ahead.


huffpost--2020-04-09--Bernie Sanders To Cover Campaign Staff's Health Benefits Through October

Sen. Bernie Sanders ’ presidential campaign is extending health insurance benefits to staffers through the end of October despite his exit from the race this week .
Faiz Shakir , Sanders ’ campaign manager , informed staffers in a call Thursday that the campaign was committed to ensuring all 500 employees had health insurance coverage during the coronavirus pandemic , several staffers confirmed .
The campaign will cover payroll through the end of May for employees who have been on staff for longer than six months .
Those who have been employed for less than six months will be paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first half of the month .
All employees will be eligible for $ 1,000 monthly stipends if they opt into COBRA , the federal program that allows individuals to continue group health benefits provided by their employers at personal cost .
Staffers will be able to receive the stipend through the end of October , a few days before the general election .
Sanders suspended his presidential campaign on Wednesday , a day after the Wisconsin Democratic primary , saying the path to the nomination was “ virtually impossible.
” Both Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been confined to their homes , and , in Sanders ’ case , the U.S. Senate , for the last month , unable to hold public events during the pandemic .
The Sanders campaign kept field staff and advance teams , which organize travel and the senator ’ s public events , on payroll for the last month , even though they were unable to do in-person organizing work and campaigning .
Sanders has been a vocal opponent of the current health insurance system in the U.S. , which ties health benefits to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medicare for All ” system , where the government provides health insurance for all Americans regardless of job status or income .
His message has become particularly poignant as millions of Americans lose their jobs due to the economic fallout of the pandemic .
“ This horrific crisis that we are now in has exposed how absurd our current employer-based health insurance system is , ” Sanders told supporters after suspending his campaign .
“ While Americans have been told , over and over again , how wonderful our employer-based , private insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hollow now as a growing number of unemployed workers struggle with how they can afford to go to the doctor , or not go bankrupt with a huge hospital bill.
” Extending benefits coverage through the general election is an unprecedented move for a presidential campaign , likely possible for Sanders due to his campaign ’ s massive fundraising haul .
It ’ s expected to cost the campaign millions of dollars , depending on how many staffers choose to sign up for COBRA .
The campaign ended its first quarter of 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though the campaign ceased its fundraising operation in the last month .
Former Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg promised to keep his campaign staff employed through the general election , but broke that pledge .
Instead he offered payment through the first week in April , full benefits through the end of April , and allowed staffers to keep their campaign-issued electronics , which were taxed as income .
Sanders staffers , the first presidential campaign to unionize in U.S. history , also negotiated severance in their union contract with the United Food @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign is extending health insurance benefits to staffers through the end of October despite his exit from the race this week.
Faiz Shakir, Sanders’ campaign manager, informed staffers in a call Thursday that the campaign was committed to ensuring all 500 employees had health insurance coverage during the coronavirus pandemic, several staffers confirmed.
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The campaign will cover payroll through the end of May for employees who have been on staff for longer than six months. Those who have been employed for less than six months will be paid through one pay period in May, the first half of the month. All employees will be eligible for $1,000 monthly stipends if they opt into COBRA, the federal program that allows individuals to continue group health benefits provided by their employers at personal cost. Staffers will be able to receive the stipend through the end of October, a few days before the general election.
Sanders suspended his presidential campaign on Wednesday, a day after the Wisconsin Democratic primary, saying the path to the nomination was “virtually impossible.” Both Sanders and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden have been confined to their homes, and, in Sanders’ case, the U.S. Senate, for the last month, unable to hold public events during the pandemic.
The Sanders campaign kept field staff and advance teams, which organize travel and the senator’s public events, on payroll for the last month, even though they were unable to do in-person organizing work and campaigning.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) waves during a campaign rally in Detroit on March 6. ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Sanders has been a vocal opponent of the current health insurance system in the U.S., which ties health benefits to employment. He has proposed a “Medicare for All” system, where the government provides health insurance for all Americans regardless of job status or income.
His message has become particularly poignant as millions of Americans lose their jobs due to the economic fallout of the pandemic.
“This horrific crisis that we are now in has exposed how absurd our current employer-based health insurance system is,” Sanders told supporters after suspending his campaign. “While Americans have been told, over and over again, how wonderful our employer-based, private insurance system is, those claims sound very hollow now as a growing number of unemployed workers struggle with how they can afford to go to the doctor, or not go bankrupt with a huge hospital bill.”
Extending benefits coverage through the general election is an unprecedented move for a presidential campaign, likely possible for Sanders due to his campaign’s massive fundraising haul. It’s expected to cost the campaign millions of dollars, depending on how many staffers choose to sign up for COBRA. The campaign ended its first quarter of 2020 with $28 million on hand, though the campaign ceased its fundraising operation in the last month.
Former Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg promised to keep his campaign staff employed through the general election, but broke that pledge. Instead he offered payment through the first week in April, full benefits through the end of April, and allowed staffers to keep their campaign-issued electronics, which were taxed as income.
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Sanders staffers, the first presidential campaign to unionize in U.S. history, also negotiated severance in their union contract with the United Food & Commercial Workers Union Local 400.


huffpost--2020-04-09--Here’s Joe Biden’s Opening Bid To The Left For The General Election

Biden , the presumptive Democratic nominee , announced both policy proposals in a Medium blog post on Thursday afternoon , arguing the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus epidemic made both moves necessary .
But both shifts ― especially on student debt ― are designed to appeal to younger and left-leaning voters who were skeptical of his candidacy and instead supported Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) in the primary .
Sanders ended his candidacy yesterday .
“ Recovery will require long term changes to build a more inclusive and more resilient middle class , and a greener and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We have to think big — as big as the challenges we face .
As we start to lay the groundwork for recovery , we have to build back better for the future.
” “ Senator Sanders and his supporters can take pride in their work in laying the groundwork for these ideas , and I ’ m proud to adopt them as part of my campaign at this critical moment in responding to the coronavirus crisis , ” Biden wrote .
As a political calculation , it shows Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many suburban moderates who were swing voters in the past but have moved solidly into the Democratic Party during Trump ’ s presidency , offended by his bullying demeanor and chaotic style .
Many of these voters flocked to the polls in the final weeks of the Democratic primary , padding Biden ’ s margins of victory over Sanders .
Instead , the Biden campaign is ― at least for the time being ― trying to improve its standing with younger voters , many of whom lean to the ideological left .
Polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with young voters by massive margins , and early polling in the general election has shown Biden running weaker with younger voters than past Democratic nominees .
Progressives and Democratic operatives focused on youth turnout have argued that Biden — who often criticized progressive priorities like single-payer health care during his primary run — would need to move on policy in order to win over voters who are skeptical of him .
Sanders himself made a similar pronouncement during an appearance on “ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert ” on Wednesday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work with Joe in a more progressive direction .
Joe is a good politician and he understands that in order to defeat Trump , he ’ s going to have to bring new people into his political world , working people , young people , ” Sanders said .
“ We understand that the Biden campaign is going through a process of trying to convince progressives that he stands with him … but it ’ s safe to say he wouldn ’ t be making these overtures without Bernie pushing , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the beginning of the process , not the end of the process.
” Biden , who based his successful bid for the Democratic nomination on the importance of defeating Trump and returning to normalcy , had long resisted calls to eliminate student debt .
He inched toward the position last month , adopting a proposal from Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
to forgive $ 10,000 worth of student debt per person as a part of immediate response to the coronavirus pandemic .
His new position ― totally eliminating student debt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year who attended either a public college or a historically Black college ― goes further while still falling short of Sanders ’ proposal to eliminate all student debt , or Warren ’ s proposal to eliminate it for 95 % of borrowers .
Biden would also phase out the benefit , to avoid a “ cliff ” for those who make above $ 125,000 .
The number of people whose debt would be forgiven by Biden ’ s plan is unclear , as is its total cost .
But he proposes paying for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax cut included in the coronavirus stimulus package that Congress passed last month .
That $ 170 billion cut was seen as a GOP giveaway to real estate investors .
Biden is also proposing expanding the federal health care program for seniors by lowering the Medicare age from 65 to 60 , who would pay the same rate as any other Medicare beneficiaries .
The proposal is notably different than some Medicare “ buy-in ” proposals widely endorsed by congressional Democrats , which usually have higher premiums for those under the age of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden ’ s current health care platform expands the Affordable Care Act by creating a public option like Medicare that is open to all Americans , in addition to expanding the tax credits available for people on the exchanges .
His plan would not reach universal coverage outright , but would get the country a lot closer to it .
While Biden credited the Sanders campaign in part for inspiring these changes to his campaign platform , they are a far cry from what the Vermont senator proposed on the campaign trail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All ” system that would move every American on to a single government-run health insurance program .
In March , Biden claimed to have adopted a Sanders proposal on tuition-free college for some in the run up to the final Democratic presidential debate , endorsing the compromise platform between Sanders and former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton from 2016 that would make public colleges and universities tuition-free for those from families with incomes under $ 125,000 .
Sanders said it was not enough .
“ It ’ s great that Joe Biden is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic platform four years ago , ” Sanders responded in a statement in March .
“ Now we have to go much further .
We need to make all public universities , colleges and trade schools tuition-free for everyone like our high schools are .
We need to cancel all student debt .
And we can fund it with a small tax on Wall Street speculation .
”

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Former Vice President Joe Biden is pivoting to the left as he begins his general election campaign against President Donald Trump, promising to eliminate student debt for a huge portion of people making under $125,000 a year and lowering the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 60.
Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, announced both policy proposals in a Medium blog post on Thursday afternoon, arguing the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus epidemic made both moves necessary. But both shifts ― especially on student debt ― are designed to appeal to younger and left-leaning voters who were skeptical of his candidacy and instead supported Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in the primary. Sanders ended his candidacy yesterday.
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“Recovery will require long term changes to build a more inclusive and more resilient middle class, and a greener and more resilient economy,” Biden wrote. “We have to think big — as big as the challenges we face. As we start to lay the groundwork for recovery, we have to build back better for the future.”
Biden’s campaign emphasized that both proposals fit within his long-standing goal to rebuild the American middle class, though it also acknowledged Sanders’ influence.
“Senator Sanders and his supporters can take pride in their work in laying the groundwork for these ideas, and I’m proud to adopt them as part of my campaign at this critical moment in responding to the coronavirus crisis,” Biden wrote.
As a political calculation, it shows Biden’s campaign is confident about their standing with many suburban moderates who were swing voters in the past but have moved solidly into the Democratic Party during Trump’s presidency, offended by his bullying demeanor and chaotic style. Many of these voters flocked to the polls in the final weeks of the Democratic primary, padding Biden’s margins of victory over Sanders.
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Instead, the Biden campaign is ― at least for the time being ― trying to improve its standing with younger voters, many of whom lean to the ideological left. Polling throughout the Democratic primary showed Sanders triumphing with young voters by massive margins, and early polling in the general election has shown Biden running weaker with younger voters than past Democratic nominees.
Lowering the eligibility age for Medicare traditionally performs well in public opinion surveys, while the popularity of proposals to eliminate student debt often depends on the details of the proposal and how the question is phrased.
Progressives and Democratic operatives focused on youth turnout have argued that Biden — who often criticized progressive priorities like single-payer health care during his primary run — would need to move on policy in order to win over voters who are skeptical of him. Sanders himself made a similar pronouncement during an appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on Wednesday night.
“I hope to be able to work with Joe in a more progressive direction. Joe is a good politician and he understands that in order to defeat Trump, he’s going to have to bring new people into his political world, working people, young people,” Sanders said.
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He said he thought Biden was prepared to move in a progressive direction on a number of issues, including immigration, criminal justice reform and the cost of higher education. (Sanders notably did not mention health care.)
“Joe is not going to adopt my platform,” Sanders acknowledged. “But I think if he’ll move in this direction, people will say, ‘This is a guy that we should support.’”
A Sanders campaign aide, granted anonymity to discuss sensitive talks, said the conversation between Sanders and Biden’s senior staffers was ongoing.
“We understand that the Biden campaign is going through a process of trying to convince progressives that he stands with him … but it’s safe to say he wouldn’t be making these overtures without Bernie pushing,” the Sanders aide said. “This is the beginning of the process, not the end of the process.”
The Sanders campaign warned not to expect an imminent endorsement of Biden.
Biden, who based his successful bid for the Democratic nomination on the importance of defeating Trump and returning to normalcy, had long resisted calls to eliminate student debt. He inched toward the position last month, adopting a proposal from Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) to forgive $10,000 worth of student debt per person as a part of immediate response to the coronavirus pandemic.
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His new position ― totally eliminating student debt for those making under $125,000 a year who attended either a public college or a historically Black college ― goes further while still falling short of Sanders’ proposal to eliminate all student debt, or Warren’s proposal to eliminate it for 95% of borrowers. Biden would also phase out the benefit, to avoid a “cliff” for those who make above $125,000.
The number of people whose debt would be forgiven by Biden’s plan is unclear, as is its total cost. But he proposes paying for the plan by eliminating a business losses tax cut included in the coronavirus stimulus package that Congress passed last month. That $170 billion cut was seen as a GOP giveaway to real estate investors.
Biden is also proposing expanding the federal health care program for seniors by lowering the Medicare age from 65 to 60, who would pay the same rate as any other Medicare beneficiaries. The proposal is notably different than some Medicare “buy-in” proposals widely endorsed by congressional Democrats, which usually have higher premiums for those under the age of 65 looking to join the Medicare system.
Democrats have long advocated for lowering the age for Medicare as many older Americans, at higher risk of health problems, struggle to gain secure employment, and face high average premium costs on the federal health insurance exchange.
Lowering the age for Medicare is a popular proposal across party lines. According to a January 2019 poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation, 77% of Americans supported allowing individuals between the ages of 50 and 65 to buy coverage through the program, including 69% of Republicans.
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Biden’s current health care platform expands the Affordable Care Act by creating a public option like Medicare that is open to all Americans, in addition to expanding the tax credits available for people on the exchanges. His plan would not reach universal coverage outright, but would get the country a lot closer to it.
While Biden credited the Sanders campaign in part for inspiring these changes to his campaign platform, they are a far cry from what the Vermont senator proposed on the campaign trail. Sanders endorsed a “Medicare For All” system that would move every American on to a single government-run health insurance program.
In March, Biden claimed to have adopted a Sanders proposal on tuition-free college for some in the run up to the final Democratic presidential debate, endorsing the compromise platform between Sanders and former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton from 2016 that would make public colleges and universities tuition-free for those from families with incomes under $125,000. Sanders said it was not enough.
“It’s great that Joe Biden is now supporting a position that was in the Democratic platform four years ago,” Sanders responded in a statement in March. “Now we have to go much further. We need to make all public universities, colleges and trade schools tuition-free for everyone like our high schools are. We need to cancel all student debt. And we can fund it with a small tax on Wall Street speculation.”
The Sanders campaign said not to expect similar criticisms about the incremental nature of Biden’s new proposal.
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huffpost--2020-04-09--Bill Barr Says Coronavirus Crisis Should Lead To Stricter Border Control

“ When this period of time , at the end of April , expires , I think we have to @ @ @ @ @ than we have , and not just tell people to go home and hide under @ @ @ @ @ them to use other ways — social distancing and other means — to protect themselves @ @ @ @ @ Restaurants may “ have to change their protocols , ” Barr said , and personal @ @ @ @ @ be “ more broadly available.
” “ I ’ m not suggesting we stop social @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ There may come a time when we have to worry less about @ @ @ @ @ t know when that will be.
” Until a vaccine for COVID-19 is available ― @ @ @ @ @ ― there is a possibility that waves of infections will reemerge .

“When this period of time, at the end of April, expires, I think we have to allow people to adapt more than we have, and not just tell people to go home and hide under their bed, but allow them to use other ways — social distancing and other means — to protect themselves,” he said.
Restaurants may “have to change their protocols,” Barr said, and personal protective equipment will have to be “more broadly available.”
“I’m not suggesting we stop social distancing overnight,” Barr said. “There may come a time when we have to worry less about that. I don’t know when that will be.”
Until a vaccine for COVID-19 is available ― roughly a year from now ― there is a possibility that waves of infections will reemerge.


huffpost--2020-04-09--Bar Owner Pays Out-Of-Work Staff $3,714 With Cash That Was Stapled To Walls

Jennifer Knox , who owns The Sand Bar in Tybee Island , decided to take down the thousands of dollar bills papering the interior of her establishment and give them to her staff members , who have been unemployed ever since the coronavirus outbreak caused the local watering hole to temporarily close down .
Knox told Savannah news station WTOC that customers would often write a little memory that they made at The Sand Bar on a dollar bill — like an anniversary date or a proclamation of love — and then staple it to the wall , making for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But ever since COVID-19 became a pandemic , there haven ’ t been many new memories made inside the quirky dive bar that Knox runs with her mother , Pam Hessler .
“ We literally had money on the walls and time on our hands , ” Knox told WTOC of the moment she had the idea .
“ There was not a more perfect time to give back to my people.
” Shortly thereafter , five volunteers spent three and a half days gingerly peeling weathered dollar bills off of The Sand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It took another week and a half to clean the bills and count the cash .
When it was all done , the stacks of money that snaked across the bar ’ s countertop collectively came out to $ 3,714 .
Many of the bar ’ s customers caught wind of Knox ’ s altruism and decided to donate to her cause , bumping her total up to $ 4,104 to divvy up between her employees .
Knox told CNN she was able to give four bartenders and two musicians $ 600 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little message of love , ” Hessler told WTOC of the bills .
“ And now we can give that love in return .
”

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A Georgia business owner’s problem-solving skills were right on the money.
Jennifer Knox, who owns The Sand Bar in Tybee Island, decided to take down the thousands of dollar bills papering the interior of her establishment and give them to her staff members, who have been unemployed ever since the coronavirus outbreak caused the local watering hole to temporarily close down.
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Knox told Savannah news station WTOC that customers would often write a little memory that they made at The Sand Bar on a dollar bill — like an anniversary date or a proclamation of love — and then staple it to the wall, making for some truly unique and sentimental decor.
But ever since COVID-19 became a pandemic, there haven’t been many new memories made inside the quirky dive bar that Knox runs with her mother, Pam Hessler.
The exterior of The Sand Bar. Google Streetview
That was until Knox had her epiphany in late March.
“We literally had money on the walls and time on our hands,” Knox told WTOC of the moment she had the idea. “There was not a more perfect time to give back to my people.”
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Shortly thereafter, five volunteers spent three and a half days gingerly peeling weathered dollar bills off of The Sand Bar’s walls, CNN reports. It took another week and a half to clean the bills and count the cash. When it was all done, the stacks of money that snaked across the bar’s countertop collectively came out to $3,714.
Over a span of three days, a Tybee Island bar removed $3,714 worth of bills stapled to their walls to give to their unemployed staff. 📸Jennifer Knox of The Sand Bar pic.twitter.com/Aiz2NBCPxy — Amanda Jackson (@AmandaJ_TX) April 8, 2020
Many of the bar’s customers caught wind of Knox’s altruism and decided to donate to her cause, bumping her total up to $4,104 to divvy up between her employees. Knox told CNN she was able to give four bartenders and two musicians $600 each.
Knox’s mom, Hessler, has a pretty sweet way of looking at the situation.


huffpost--2020-04-09--U.S. Economy Unlikely To Recover As Rapidly As It Collapsed

But there is a reason economics is called the “ dismal science.
” There are emerging signs that any recovery will fail to match the speed and severity of the economic collapse that occurred in just a few weeks .
The 2020 presidential and Senate elections likely will take place as the world ’ s largest economy is still attempting to climb back from the deadly outbreak .
“ Anyone who assumes we ’ re going to get a sharp snapback in activity isn ’ t thinking about how consumers are going to feel .
They ’ re going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Behravesh , chief economist at IHS Markit .
“ Households and businesses have seen their finances deteriorate .
People are buying groceries on their credit cards.
” No longer able to campaign on a half-century low unemployment rate , Trump has begun to tell voters that he can quickly rebuild the economy .
He said measures like the $ 2.2 trillion rescue package — with more money likely on the way — can send employment and economic growth to new highs .
“ The fact that we ’ re as partisan as ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destined to forgive a president who fails on the economy , ” Pollock said .
“ This is a man who championed his economic abilities — and to me there is nothing to suggest that voters will forgive him , since he ’ s been front and center on the virus response since Day One.
” If his view holds , that plays to the advantage of likely Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
But Biden will have to give voters a fuller idea of how he would boost the economy , Pollock said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation as the U.S. economy being sideswiped by the “ hidden enemy ” of COVID-19 , which he and his advisers initially downplayed in February and March and later suggested was impossible to foresee .
His message to voters is that his leadership will make the economy even stronger .
One of the arguments for a quick recovery came from the Harvard University economist Larry Summers , who served as a top economic adviser to President Barack Obama during the Great Recession , suggesting on Twitter that the U.S. economy would behave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cod , which closes in the winter and reopens around Memorial Day for a burst of summer activity .
Adding to the challenge is that political leaders can not simply command an economic recovery to occur .
The timing depends on the shared actions of millions of consumers and employers , said Paul Winfree , a former Trump White House official who is now director of economic policy at the conservative Heritage Foundation .
“ I don ’ t think we ’ re going to get out of this because of political leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This isn ’ t WWII .
Rather , things won ’ t turn around until a significant majority of people decide that we ’ ve done enough ( privately and publicly ) and have to move along .
Hopefully , that coincides with the success of public health efforts.
” A strong economic rebound likely depends on people and companies being able to preserve their money , so that it can be spent and invested once the gloom begins to subside .
The challenge now is that incomes are eroding , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Not only have 16.8 million Americans — roughly 1 in 10 workers — lost their jobs in the past three weeks .
Workers have seen their hours slashed , have seen sales commissions disappear and have accepted salary cuts , such that incomes have declined for half of U.S. working households , according to a survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research .
Children can no longer attend school , reducing the productivity of their parents .
And on a regional basis , many state economies may take time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida will need to bring back roughly 130 million tourists annually .
The decisions of Texas employers will likely depend on crude oil — now trading for around a low $ 24 a barrel — climbing back above $ 30 to a point at which drilling and pumping is profitable .

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BALTIMORE (AP) — President Donald Trump has been telling voters that the U.S. economy will leap back to life “like a rocket,” stronger than ever after its bout with the coronavirus.
But there is a reason economics is called the “dismal science.” There are emerging signs that any recovery will fail to match the speed and severity of the economic collapse that occurred in just a few weeks. The 2020 presidential and Senate elections likely will take place as the world’s largest economy is still attempting to climb back from the deadly outbreak.
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“Anyone who assumes we’re going to get a sharp snapback in activity isn’t thinking about how consumers are going to feel. They’re going to be very cautious,” said Nariman Behravesh, chief economist at IHS Markit. “Households and businesses have seen their finances deteriorate. People are buying groceries on their credit cards.”
To understand the consequences of a sudden negative shock on the economy, Behravesh studied how many people returned to flying after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
“It took two and a half years for airline passenger traffic to go back to previous levels,” he said.
No longer able to campaign on a half-century low unemployment rate, Trump has begun to tell voters that he can quickly rebuild the economy. He said measures like the $2.2 trillion rescue package — with more money likely on the way — can send employment and economic growth to new highs.
Jefrey Pollock, a Democratic pollster, said voters will judge in November whether the Republican president has delivered an economic revival, and they will be taking a similar measure of incumbent members of Congress.
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“The fact that we’re as partisan as ever doesn’t mean we’re destined to forgive a president who fails on the economy,” Pollock said. “This is a man who championed his economic abilities — and to me there is nothing to suggest that voters will forgive him, since he’s been front and center on the virus response since Day One.”
If his view holds, that plays to the advantage of likely Democratic nominee Joe Biden. But Biden will have to give voters a fuller idea of how he would boost the economy, Pollock said.
Trump has repeatedly sought to portray the situation as the U.S. economy being sideswiped by the “hidden enemy” of COVID-19, which he and his advisers initially downplayed in February and March and later suggested was impossible to foresee. His message to voters is that his leadership will make the economy even stronger.
“Our Economy will BOOM, perhaps like never before!!!” Trump declared Wednesday on Twitter.
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, who has been leading the stimulus efforts, has said there will be “a very big bounce back,” though he noted that the gains could be uneven.
“Certain parts of the economy you’re going to see come back immediately,” Mnuchin said Tuesday on the Fox Business Network. “Certain things are going to take a little bit longer.”
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One of the arguments for a quick recovery came from the Harvard University economist Larry Summers, who served as a top economic adviser to President Barack Obama during the Great Recession, suggesting on Twitter that the U.S. economy would behave much as a beach town on Cape Cod, which closes in the winter and reopens around Memorial Day for a burst of summer activity.
Adding to the challenge is that political leaders cannot simply command an economic recovery to occur. The timing depends on the shared actions of millions of consumers and employers, said Paul Winfree, a former Trump White House official who is now director of economic policy at the conservative Heritage Foundation.
“I don’t think we’re going to get out of this because of political leadership,” Winfree said in an email. “This isn’t WWII. Rather, things won’t turn around until a significant majority of people decide that we’ve done enough (privately and publicly) and have to move along. Hopefully, that coincides with the success of public health efforts.”
A strong economic rebound likely depends on people and companies being able to preserve their money, so that it can be spent and invested once the gloom begins to subside. The challenge now is that incomes are eroding, and that could limit the recovery.
Not only have 16.8 million Americans — roughly 1 in 10 workers — lost their jobs in the past three weeks. Workers have seen their hours slashed, have seen sales commissions disappear and have accepted salary cuts, such that incomes have declined for half of U.S. working households, according to a survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
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Children can no longer attend school, reducing the productivity of their parents. And on a regional basis, many state economies may take time to claw back what has been lost. Florida will need to bring back roughly 130 million tourists annually. The decisions of Texas employers will likely depend on crude oil — now trading for around a low $24 a barrel — climbing back above $30 to a point at which drilling and pumping is profitable.
Stanford University economist Nicholas Bloom is an expert on uncertainty and believes the economy will end this year 10% smaller than it was at the start of 2020, a loss of nearly $2 trillion even with the $2.2 trillion rescue package.
The long-term outlook also has deteriorated, he added, in ways that could hurt the recovery.
“Working from home is creating a collapse in investment,” Bloom said. “All firms I have spoken to have cancelled training, new product introductions and R&D projects, while at U.S. universities and laboratories unless you are working on COVID-19 you have stopped work. So innovation — the main driver of long-run U.S. growth — has stopped.”