Monday, May 11, 2020

Unemployment jumps to 14.7 percent

The U.S. unemployment rate jumped to 14.7% in April due to the wave of job losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The number represents 20.5 million jobs lost in the country and is a dramatic increase from March’s 4.4% unemployment rate, which only captured the very beginning of the economic downturn. April’s rate marks a new record for the post-World War II era — the previous high was 10.8% in 1982. Millions more were also laid off or furloughed in late April after data for the report stopped being collected. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Small businesses hit loan roadblocks

New applications for the Small Business Administration’s disaster loan program have come to a halt and the amount businesses could take out has shrunk from $2 million to just $150,000. Like most small business lending programs, the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program has been overwhelmed by demand and has begun prioritizing agriculture businesses over other applicants after lobbying from key Republican senators. (The Washington Post)

Virus sparks insurance battles

Businesses attempting to leverage insurance policies to cover pandemic losses are finding out the hard way that they don’t cover COVID-19. Companies are now suing insurers, arguing their policies don’t have pandemic exclusions, while providers say plans weren’t meant to cover the unprecedented pandemic and forced payments could bankrupt the industry. Experts say it’s “uncharted territory” that will likely lead to big changes in insurance, providers will either innovate new forms of pandemic coverage or rewrite policies to explicitly exclude it. (Axios)

Will restaurant workers return?

As restaurants begin to reopen, they’re facing yet another problem caused by the pandemic: their workers may not return. About half of all laid off or furloughed U.S. workers will likely earn more in boosted unemployment benefits than they did before the pandemic, challenging employers who have to figure out staffing needs while gauging customers’ willingness to dine out again. Meanwhile, restaurant owners say stimulus payments meant to keep workers on payroll could be better used on more urgent costs like rent. (The Wall Street Journal)

**WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AUDIENCES!**

Coronavirus found in semen of COVID-19 survivors; sexual transmission unclear, study says

Traces of the COVID-19 coronavirus have been found in the semen of some severely infected men, raising the possibility that the virus might be sexually transmitted, a new study from China claims. Researchers found evidence of the virus in six men out of a group of 38 COVID-19 patients at Shangqiu Municipal Hospital in China who provided samples. The six men included four who were still infected and two who were recovering, the researchers said. Infectious viruses commonly are found in semen, with Zika being one recent notable example. The Chinese researchers noted that 27 different viruses have been detected in human semen. (JAMA Network Open)

A retired Kansas farmer who mailed New York Gov. Cuomo an N-95 mask is given bachelor’s degree

When Gov. Andrew Cuomo held up a letter and N-95 mask sent to him by a retired Kansas farmer, he called it humanity at its best. “If you could, would you please give this mask to a nurse or doctor in your state?” read the letter from Dennis Ruhnke. Now, Ruhnke has been given a bachelor’s degree from his state. “Dennis’ kindness and lifelong career in agriculture make him more than qualified to receive a degree,” Kansas Govornor Laura Kelly said in a Facebook post. She and the Kansas State University President presented the man with the degree during a ceremony. Ruhnke was two credits shy of earning his degree in 1971 when his father passed away, according to the Kansas Governor’s post. He decided to leave school to look after his mother and the family farm. The N-95 mask was one of five left over from Ruhnke’s farming days, he said in the letter. He and his wife, who are both in their 70s, sent the unused mask to Cuomo amid a medical supply shortage. After the donated the mask, the Kansas Governor called to thank him for being such an exceptional ambassador for the state. (CNN)

NYC nurse arrested for allegedly stealing credit card off dying coronavirus patient

A nurse for a New York City Hospital was arrested after allegedly stealing a dying 70-year-old coronavirus patient’s credit card and using it for gas and groceries. The 43-year-old woman is facing charges of grand larceny, petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property in connection with the case. She allegedly took the credit card from a patient while he was being treated during her work at Staten Island University Hospital, according to the NYPD. She was issued an appearance ticket by police and released. The patient died of COVID-19 after a week of treatment at the Staten Island University Hospital, according to a Facebook post in April by his daughter. (NBC News)

Magician Roy Horn of the legendary stage duo Siegfried and Roy died in Las Vegas from complications due to COVID-19

Roy Uwe Ludwig Horn, who was 75, had tested positive for coronavirus last month and had been hospitalized before his death. Horn was born in Germany in 1944 and met Siegfried Fischbacher on a cruise ship before forming a 50-year professional partnership. The two performed at The Mirage in Las Vegas for 14 years in a $30m production that involved making wild animals disappear. Horn’s last performance was in 2003, when a 400-pound white tiger lunged at him and dragged him offstage in front of an audience of 1,500. The two later formed a sanctuary for exotic animals called the Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. (CBS News)

Facebook has rolled out a new desktop design

The new design includes a dark mode and largely replaces what for years has been its central feature, the algorithmically generated News Feed. The new design became available globally on Friday after an opt-in period of about two months. The company says the redesign will refocus users’ experience around events, groups, and messaging. To turn on the new design and enable dark mode:

• Click on the down arrow at the end of the upper menu bar to pull up old Facebook’s settings menu.
• Click “Switch to new Facebook.”
• Click the same down arrow and toggle dark mode from off to on.

(The Verge)

The NBA is exploring the steps it needs to take to resume its canceled season, allowing practice gyms in Cleveland and Portland to reopen for player workouts

Cavaliers forward Cedi Osman was the first to practice on an NBA court since the league suspended the season over seven weeks ago. In Orange County, Florida, health officials have announced they have the resources to enable the Orlando Magic to begin testing players and staff for coronavirus, an essential safety measure before practices and games can resume. The Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers are expected to begin testing their players soon even though two Lakers players had tested positive for coronavirus several weeks ago. Sources say Silver said the league still plans a best-of-seven playoff series if the season resumes, and that playing games without fans are being considered. (Associated Press)

In other sports news…

Major League Baseball is finalizing plans to proceed with a pared-down amateur draft, from 40 rounds to 5, a move that will save teams about $30m. There will be only 160 players drafted, the fewest since the MLB draft started in 1965. (Associated Press)

Manic Monday Returns With:

• Eat What You Want Day
• Hostess Cupcake Day
• National Foam Rolling Day
• National Women’s Check-up Day (Second Monday)
• Root Canal Appreciation Day