7 Major Coronavirus Developments — RI's Gig Economy Industry at Risk — April 30, 2020

Federal Jobs Numbers Show 30+ Million Have Filed for Unemployment

Thursday morning, the U.S. Department of Labor released job numbers that show 3.8 new filings this week. The number marks a drop for the third week, but now more than 30 million have filed in the past 6 weeks.

DOL reports:

In the week ending April 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 3,839,000, a decrease of 603,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 15,000 from 4,427,000 to 4,442,000. The 4-week moving average was 5,033,250, a decrease of 757,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 3,750 from 5,786,500 to 5,790,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 12.4 percent for the week ending April 18, an increase of 1.5 percentage points from the previous week's revised rate. This marks the highest level of the seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate in the history of the seasonally adjusted series. The previous week's rate was revised down by 0.1 from 11.0 to 10.9 percent. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending April 18 was 17,992,000, an increase of 2,174,000 from the previous week's revised level.

This marks the highest level of seasonally adjusted insured unemployment in the history of the seasonally adjusted series. The previous week's level was revised down by 158,000 from 15,976,000 to 15,818,000. The 4-week moving average was 13,292,500, an increase of 3,733,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 39,000 from 9,598,250 to 9,559,250. 

Jobless Can't Get Benefits

According to a new study from the Economic Policy Institute, "Millions of the newly jobless are going without benefits as the unemployment system buckles under the weight of new claims, according to our new national survey, conducted in mid-April.

For every 10 people who said they successfully filed for unemployment benefits during the previous four weeks:

- Three to four additional people tried to apply but could not get through the system to make a claim.

- Two additional people did not try to apply because it was too difficult to do so.

Ocean State Charities Steps Up

Ocean State Charities Trust has committed $50,000 to assist Boys and Girls Clubs across Rhode Island respond to the coronavirus pandemic by providing virtual learning during this time of crisis.

The announcement was made by Trust Chairman John J. Partridge, Esq. “The trustees of the Ocean State Charities Trust want to be supportive of the tremendous leadership shown by Governor Raimondo and help fund a program that will support our youth at this critical time,” Partridge said. He noted that the Governor has instituted virtual learning for all public school systems in the state and has also challenged students to use their time at home to read more.

Formed in 1981, the Trust is dedicated to supporting charitable purposes that promote social welfare in Rhode Island by assisting citizens in the areas of housing, health, education and welfare. “We are well acquainted with the good work done by Boys & Girls Clubs across this state,” said Trustee Scott Avedisian. “And over the years we have donated more than $350,000 to further their efforts.”

“Children that are served by the Boys & Girls Clubs in our state will now have the ability to access more information through virtual learning,” said Trustees Amy Vitale, Esq., John Farnum, and Mark Russell. The Rhode Island Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs consists of seven autonomous organizations, which work together to inspire and enable youth across Rhode Island. They have locations in East Providence, Newport, Northern Rhoden Island, Pawtucket, Providence, and Warwick. 

RI Continues To Be Top State for Cases and Deaths Per 1M

Rhode Island has the 4th most cases per 1 million population - behind only New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

And, Rhode Island is ranked 8th for deaths per 1 million. 

Digital Divide 

A new report unveils the two America as it comes to technology and critical connectivity.

"As Americans stay home and join people all over the world by practicing social distancing, many are doing so without high-speed internet access that allows them to work, study, and recreate on equal footing," according to Satellite Internet.

Rhode Island's gap is 15%. 

According to the World Economic Forum, 6% of Americans do not have access to a high-speed internet connection. In 2019, the FCC estimated 21.3 million Americans don’t have access to internet service at broadband speeds, though research by Microsoft has indicated that number to be as high as 157.3 million.

Numbers

8,247 Cases in Rhode Island

58,302 Cases in Massachusetts

251 Deaths in RI

3,153 Deaths in Massachusetts

1,048,834 Cases in the United States

60,495 Deaths in the United States

3,188,596 Global Cases

225,615 Global Deaths

986,622 Global Recoveries

GoLocal LIVE Schedule, Thursday, April 30, 2020

12:00 PM - Dr. Michael Fine, Former Director of the RI Department of Health

1:00 PM - Governor Gina Raimondo Children's Event

2:00 PM - Michael DiBiase, CEO of RIPEC