COVID-19 and the Workforce: April 24, 2020

COVID-19 and the Workforce: April 24, 2020

TOP HEADLINES 

Senate Approves More Funds for Small-Business Coronavirus Relief  
SHRM – April 21, 2020 
More small businesses will have access to payroll protection loans under a new coronavirus relief bill that the U.S. Senate passed April 21. The U.S. House of Representatives will now consider the bill before it is ultimately sent to the president’s desk for signature. 

U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Hit 4.4 Million, Bringing 5-Week Total to More Than 26 Million 
CNBC – April 23, 2020 
Jobless claim filings continued at a historically unprecedented pace last week with 4.4 million new signups for unemployment insurance, bringing the total of the past five weeks to 26.4 million, the Labor Department said Thursday. 

How You Can Plan for a Safe Reopening  
Inc. – April 21, 2020 
Here’s what the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommend when planning to reopen your business as safely as possible. 

What’s New from the CDC 
Keep up with all the latest information on COVID-19 directly from the resources created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  

GLOBAL NEWS 

AUSTRALIA 
Coronavirus: The Latest in Australia 
The Guardian – April 24, 2020 
This article provides a summary of the latest developments in the coronavirus pandemic across Australia.  

CANADA 
COVID-19: Trudeau Offers $9 Billion to Students Facing Joblessness Over Pandemic  
National Post – April 22, 2020 
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a $9 billion aid package for students Wednesday, as they confront the reality of a summer without the jobs they need to pay fall tuition. Trudeau has promised help for students for weeks and there have been calls to add them to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). 

INDIA 
Why India Has the Upper Hand Against COVID-19 
World Economic Forum – April 17, 2020 
India, currently under a 21-day lockdown, is fighting back against COVID-19 with a “cluster containment strategy” to contain the disease within a defined geographic area by early detection of cases, breaking the chain of transmission and thus preventing its spread. 

UNITED KINGDOM 
COVID-19 Vaccine Trial on Humans Starts as UK Warns Restrictions Could Stay in Place Until Next Year 
CNN – April 23, 2020 
Scientists in the UK will begin trials of a potential COVID-19 vaccine on humans Thursday, as the government warns it could have to rely on social distancing measures until next year assuming no vaccine or treatment is found before then. 

UNITED STATES 
White House Releases Plan to Reopen Federal Government  
SHRM – April 22, 2020 
President Donald Trump’s administration has released guidelines for federal government leaders on how to start preparing to resume operations in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. 

POLAND 
Peak of Epidemic in Poland Predicted for April 27 as Government Begins to Relax Restrictions 
Notes from Poland – April 17, 2020 
According to the University of Washington’s research, the number of coronavirus cases in Poland is expected to peak on April 27. The model matches the Polish government’s predictions that the peak of the epidemic in Poland will be in late April.  

Post by Jasmine Patel

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