Coronavirus Latest News
Instead of blasting you with coronavirus (COVID-19) news every hour, I’m putting together a roundup of news that I come across during the day. Here you can read about stimulus checks that started arriving, crime drops around the world, what the government wants in exchange for airline payroll grants, lack of stringent health checks at US airports, and small business loan effort might be less generous than advertised.
Stimulus Checks Start Arriving in Bank Account
Americans eligible for the coronavirus economic stimulus package have started seeing payments arrive in their accounts. Data indicates that around 40 percent of the deposits so far were for $1,200, although some are as high as $4,700.
Crime drops around the world as COVID-19 keeps people inside
Chicago’s crime declined 10% after the pandemic struck, a trend playing out globally as cities report stunning crime drops in the weeks since measures were put into place to slow the spread of the virus. Even among regions that have the highest levels of violence outside a war zone, fewer people are being killed and fewer robberies are taking place.
What The Government Wants, In Exchange For Airline Payroll Grants
When people talk about $58 billion for the airlines, that includes $29 billion in payroll grants and $29 billion in low interest loans to passenger and cargo airlines. It doesn’t include money for airline contractors or for Boeing. The airlines want the payroll grants, which they viewed as free money. It could cover their full payrolls through the summer. Without these grants they would lay off a large portion of their staff. But it covers the staff they won’t lay off.
Americans Returning To U.S. Say They’re Surprised By Lack Of Stringent Health Checks
Americans returning home from abroad are being greeted with varying levels of health screenings at U.S. airports — with some saying the U.S. measures are less stringent than what they’ve experienced overseas.
Small business loan effort might be less generous than advertised
The Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is supposed to provide small businesses running out of cash due to the pandemic “with working capital loans of up to $2 million,” according to the Small Business Administration’s website. But small businesses don’t appear to be able to get anything close to $2 million. Those that apply “will likely be given maximum loans of $25,000-$35,000.
Latest Coronavirus Numbers
And here is a screenshot of the latest numbers in the United States and how it compares to other countries around the world.
- US counts 2,000 deaths in 24 hours
- South Korea to use electronic wristbands on those who defy self-quarantine orders
- 917 people have died from coronavirus in the UK in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 9,875
