US job losses mount as Trump presses plan to reopen business
WASHINGTON (AP) — The ranks of America’s unemployed swelled toward Great Depression-era levels Thursday, and President Donald Trump reacted to the pressure on the economy by outlining a phased approach to reopening parts of the country where the coronavirus is being brought under control.Under the plan, presented by Trump in a call with the nation’s governors, the president will ease his social-distancing guidelines to allow states to start getting back to business over the next several weeks in places that have strong testing and have seen a decrease in COVID-19 cases.“You’re going to call your own shots,” Trump told the governors, according to an audio recording obtained by The Associated Press, after a week in which he clashed with them over his claim that he has “total” authority over how and when the country reopens.The move came on the same day the government reported 5.2 million more Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, bringing the four-week total to 22 million — easily the worst stretch of U.S. job losses on record.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The ranks of America’s unemployed swelled toward Great Depression-era levels Thursday, and President Donald Trump reacted to the pressure on the economy by outlining a phased approach to reopening parts of the country where the coronavirus is being brought under control.Under the plan, presented by Trump in a call with the nation’s governors, the president will ease his social-distancing guidelines to allow states to start getting back to business over the next several weeks in places that have strong testing and have seen a decrease in COVID-19 cases.“You’re going to call your own shots,” Trump told the governors, according to an audio recording obtained by The Associated Press, after a week in which he clashed with them over his claim that he has “total” authority over how and when the country reopens.The move came on the same day the government reported 5.2 million more Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, bringing the four-week total to 22 million — easily the worst stretch of U.S. job losses on record.
Back to work for 27,000 Boeing Commercial Airplanes workers starting next week
Nearly 30,000 Boeing Commercial Airplanes employees will head back to work starting next week, the company said Thursday. Boeing began suspending operations at its Seattle area facilities in March due to the spread of the coronavirus.
Nearly 30,000 Boeing Commercial Airplanes employees will head back to work starting next week, the company said Thursday. Boeing began suspending operations at its Seattle area facilities in March due to the spread of the coronavirus.
Claims for unemployment benefits in Washington remain at record levels
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- More than 585,000 people in Washington sought unemployment benefits last week, with 143,000 people filing claims for the first time as businesses remain closed or with limited operations due to the stay-at-home order issued due to the cororavirus pandemic, state officials said Thursday.While weekly claim numbers for the week of April 5-11 declined from the previous week, it was still the third highest weekly number of claims on record, according to the state Employment Security Department.
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- More than 585,000 people in Washington sought unemployment benefits last week, with 143,000 people filing claims for the first time as businesses remain closed or with limited operations due to the stay-at-home order issued due to the cororavirus pandemic, state officials said Thursday.While weekly claim numbers for the week of April 5-11 declined from the previous week, it was still the third highest weekly number of claims on record, according to the state Employment Security Department.
Nearly 600,000 sought unemployment benefits last week in Washington state
With the growing economic crisis comes growing frustration from people waiting on unemployment checks. They can’t seem to get approved and can’t get answers from the state about when they can expect some relief.
With the growing economic crisis comes growing frustration from people waiting on unemployment checks. They can’t seem to get approved and can’t get answers from the state about when they can expect some relief.
Seattle grocery store worker dies from COVID-19
SEATTLE -- Safeway confirms a worker in Seattle died from COVID-19.
SEATTLE -- Safeway confirms a worker in Seattle died from COVID-19.
Trump gives governors 3-phase plan to reopen economy
New White House guidelines outline a phased approach to restoring normal commerce and services, but only for places with strong testing and seeing a decrease in COVID-19 cases.
New White House guidelines outline a phased approach to restoring normal commerce and services, but only for places with strong testing and seeing a decrease in COVID-19 cases.
Despite stay-at-home order, hundreds gather to watch cars turn doughnuts in California, troopers say
The California Highway Patrol broke up a gathering over the weekend where hundreds of people watched cars turn doughnuts in a Sacramento street.
The California Highway Patrol broke up a gathering over the weekend where hundreds of people watched cars turn doughnuts in a Sacramento street.
Is it safe to open mail and packages during the pandemic?
Is it safe to open mail and packages during the pandemic?
Is it safe to open mail and packages during the pandemic?
Howard Finkel, WWE's legendary ring announcer, dies at 69
Howard Finkel, the legendary ring announcer who spent decades introducing performers with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), has passed away at the age of 69, according to a news release.
Howard Finkel, the legendary ring announcer who spent decades introducing performers with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), has passed away at the age of 69, according to a news release.
#SoundTheHorn at noon Thursday to honor transit workers
SEATTLE -- Thousands of bus, train and ferry horns will sound at the same time at noon Thursday (Pacific time) to honor transit workers both locally and across the country who continue to provide a critical service during the coronavirus outbreak.From King County Metro:"Thursday, April 16, Metro will #SoundTheHorn to honor transit workers in our area & across the country.
SEATTLE -- Thousands of bus, train and ferry horns will sound at the same time at noon Thursday (Pacific time) to honor transit workers both locally and across the country who continue to provide a critical service during the coronavirus outbreak.From King County Metro:"Thursday, April 16, Metro will #SoundTheHorn to honor transit workers in our area & across the country.
President Trump expected to announce new guidelines for easing restrictions to states Thursday
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump said he’s prepared to announce new guidelines allowing some states to quickly ease up on social distancing even as business leaders told him they need more coronavirus testing and personal protective equipment before people can safely go back to work.The industry executives cautioned Trump that the return to normalcy will be anything but swift.The new guidelines, expected to be announced Thursday, are aimed at clearing the way for an easing of restrictions in areas with low transmission of the coronavirus, while keeping them in place in harder-hit places.
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump said he’s prepared to announce new guidelines allowing some states to quickly ease up on social distancing even as business leaders told him they need more coronavirus testing and personal protective equipment before people can safely go back to work.The industry executives cautioned Trump that the return to normalcy will be anything but swift.The new guidelines, expected to be announced Thursday, are aimed at clearing the way for an easing of restrictions in areas with low transmission of the coronavirus, while keeping them in place in harder-hit places.
Without a vaccine, health experts say mass testing is one way to slowly reopen the economy
SEATTLE - When Washingtonians start to tiptoe back to reviving the economy, life will certainly not be the same.Researchers say things like concerts and packed stadiums cannot happen most likely until a vaccine.“We are in the business of making information that is helpful for policymakers,” Theo Vos with the Institute For Health Metrics and Evaluation said.The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at UW Medicine is doing critical work pinpointing a timeframe for each jurisdiction across the U.S. to potentially open back up.“We hope to set targets for jurisdictions to prepare themselves for being able to lift some of the harshest restrictions,” Vos said.There is a lot of pressure to get the models right.“Seventy folks are working almost day and night to get these projections,” Vos said.IHME’s model of Washington state shows a dip in deaths by May, which state leaders are using to come up with decisions.But Professor Vos says lifting restrictions can only come with mass testing, and U.S. Rep.
SEATTLE - When Washingtonians start to tiptoe back to reviving the economy, life will certainly not be the same.Researchers say things like concerts and packed stadiums cannot happen most likely until a vaccine.“We are in the business of making information that is helpful for policymakers,” Theo Vos with the Institute For Health Metrics and Evaluation said.The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at UW Medicine is doing critical work pinpointing a timeframe for each jurisdiction across the U.S. to potentially open back up.“We hope to set targets for jurisdictions to prepare themselves for being able to lift some of the harshest restrictions,” Vos said.There is a lot of pressure to get the models right.“Seventy folks are working almost day and night to get these projections,” Vos said.IHME’s model of Washington state shows a dip in deaths by May, which state leaders are using to come up with decisions.But Professor Vos says lifting restrictions can only come with mass testing, and U.S. Rep.
Everett asks community to use parks responsibly
EVERETT, Wash. - Everett City officials say they have an issue with people misusing their parks during the coronavirus pandemic.“We’ve had a lot of crowds out in the park due to the nice weather,” said Bob Leonard. “Using the parks like it was a typical summer weekend, or a typical holiday weekend, not like there is a pandemic going on,” he added.Leonard is the Director of Parks for the City of Everett.He says the way the community is using city parks is causing several concerns.There is an obvious concern focusing on safety and social distancing, but Leonard says due to limited city staffing at parks, litter is also becoming an issue.“We have limited staff out there with the hope and expectation that we would have a lot less traffic and therefore a lot less garbage,” he said.Leonard says the city wants the community to go outside; they want the community to use city parks, however the hope is the community will use them responsibly.“To be able to enjoy the parks on a more passive nature, to go to their local park, exercise, walk their dog, ride a bike, but not to stay for any length of time, or gather in groups, or use any of the active recreation amenities,” said Leonard.Leonard suggests if you have to drive to a park, then you probably shouldn’t be going there during the coronavirus.
EVERETT, Wash. - Everett City officials say they have an issue with people misusing their parks during the coronavirus pandemic.“We’ve had a lot of crowds out in the park due to the nice weather,” said Bob Leonard. “Using the parks like it was a typical summer weekend, or a typical holiday weekend, not like there is a pandemic going on,” he added.Leonard is the Director of Parks for the City of Everett.He says the way the community is using city parks is causing several concerns.There is an obvious concern focusing on safety and social distancing, but Leonard says due to limited city staffing at parks, litter is also becoming an issue.“We have limited staff out there with the hope and expectation that we would have a lot less traffic and therefore a lot less garbage,” he said.Leonard says the city wants the community to go outside; they want the community to use city parks, however the hope is the community will use them responsibly.“To be able to enjoy the parks on a more passive nature, to go to their local park, exercise, walk their dog, ride a bike, but not to stay for any length of time, or gather in groups, or use any of the active recreation amenities,” said Leonard.Leonard suggests if you have to drive to a park, then you probably shouldn’t be going there during the coronavirus.
Washington Attorney General directs company to stop eviction notices during COVID-19 pandemic
People who can’t afford their rent during the COVID-19 pandemic are receiving eviction notices from their landlords. But state officials say those notices are illegal under Washington’s eviction moratorium.
People who can’t afford their rent during the COVID-19 pandemic are receiving eviction notices from their landlords. But state officials say those notices are illegal under Washington’s eviction moratorium.
Inslee: Social distancing is working, but stay-at-home order may go past May 4
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Wednesday that social distancing efforts in the state have been successful in “flattening the curve” of the coronavirus outbreak and that if the trend continues, the state should be able to transition away from the broad restrictions that have been imposed since last month to more targeted efforts to protect vulnerable populations.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Wednesday that social distancing efforts in the state have been successful in “flattening the curve” of the coronavirus outbreak and that if the trend continues, the state should be able to transition away from the broad restrictions that have been imposed since last month to more targeted efforts to protect vulnerable populations.