Daily Musings — Notable News of the Day
January 6, 2021
US risks years of higher mortality from COVID-19’s economic fallout
The new data highlight the recession’s reach, with long-lasting effects, even after a vaccine is widely available and short-term aid from the federal government supports people’s incomes.
Pandemic haunts new year as virus growth outpaces vaccines
England headed back into lockdown. Mexico City’s hospitals hold more virus patients than ever. Germany reported one of its highest daily death tolls to date Tuesday. South Africa and Brazil are struggling to find space for the dead. Even pandemic success story Thailand is fighting an unexpected wave of infections.
Late sales rebound helps US automakers avoid 2020 disaster
But as the summer came, people with jobs started splurging on loaded-out cars, trucks and SUVs late in the year. That and low interest rates drove sales up and pushed the average auto sales price to a record of just over $38,000 in December, according to J.D. Power.
Divorces and Marriages Tumbled in U.S. During Covid, Study Shows
If trends in Florida and other states — Arizona, New Hampshire, Missouri, and Oregon — were repeated nationwide, the U.S. had an estimated “shortfall” of 339,917 marriages and 191,053 divorces.
Nearly 30% of working professionals would quit if they had to return to office after pandemic
Forty-two percent of the U.S. workforce has been working from home full-time during the pandemic, according to a Stanford University study.
COVID-19 sparks more than 1,000 workplace-related lawsuits in 2020 as employees complain about safety, wages
Among the 1,005 workplace lawsuits sparked by the outbreak, well over half — 690 — dealt with layoffs and firings, with employees arguing they were victims of age or racial discrimination, for example.
Germany extends lockdown until Jan 31 and toughens curbs
Germany launched a nationwide partial shutdown on Nov. 2, closing restaurants, bars, leisure and sports facilities. That failed to reduce infections, and the current lockdown — which also closed nonessential shops and schools — took effect Dec. 16. It was initially due to run through Jan. 10.
Opioid Use Hits Construction Industry as Overdoses Soar
Bricklayers, carpenters and laborers carry heavy loads and perform the same tasks day in and day out, leading to injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, strained shoulders and bad backs. Seeking relief, workers can get hooked on strong prescription drugs such as fentanyl, oxycodone and morphine, and street drugs like heroin.
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