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Sat. 03/28/20: COVID-19 Daily Update

POTENTIAL JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Essential workers are needed in grocery stores, healthcare, etc. Local 5 and our training trust HARIETT are working on finding job opportunities for our members.

If you’d like to be notified about future job opportunities, text HARIETT to 877-877. We will text you back with questions you must respond to in order to be added to HARIETT’s contact list.

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Trump says he won’t comply with key transparency measures in the coronavirus stimulus bill (Vox.com, Mar 28, 2020)

Donald Trump has straight up declared that his government will not support oversight of the $500 billion emergency business loan program. He said in his signing statement that he would decide what information his government agencies would give in response to an Inspector General request for documents. Trump would also decide whether Congress would see the IG’s reports about instances of agencies failing to or refusing to provide documents.

The IG oversight was pushed by Democrats in this bill, but is appointed and approved by Trump and the Senate. The IG is supposed to make sure the restrictions and purposes of the $500 billion of loan are honored by businesses. This includes provisions to ensure that workers get some of that $500 billion in wages and benefits, rather than it being fully pocketed by CEOs and top management. This is a huge disappointment for our country’s working families.

Fine print of stimulus bill contains special deals for industries  (Pacific Business News, March 25 2020)

This New York Times articles explains how Trump and certain industries can benefit from the loans and the other provisions in the bill.

The provision allowing hotel owners with multiple properties and less than 500 employees at each property to qualify for the SBA payroll loan could include Trump’s hotel business. Another change allows hotels, restaurants and retailers that have spent money fixing up their properties in the last two years to accelerate the way they write off those expenses, effectively giving them an immediate tax refund. The tax benefit would be retroactive to 2018 and would last for at least three more years, before it is gradually phased out.

Jared Kushner’s businesses could be exempt from the bar on Trump family members getting benefits because his companies are often structured so that he doesn’t meet the 20% ownership threshold for exclusion.

The bill would allow all colleges to keep federal funds for student loans, even if the students in question dropped out because of coronavirus-related emergencies. The provision applies to all colleges, but for-profit colleges tend to have higher dropout rates.

How Nonprofits Can Utilize the New Federal Laws Dealing with COVID-19 (Non Profit Quarterly, March 26, 2020)

The bill appears to only apply to 501(c)(3) charitable non-profits; labor unions are 501(c)(5) nonprofits. Future bailout bills should include labor unions for its loan and forgiveness programs.

The CARES Act allows small (under 500 employees) for-profit businesses and charitable non-profits (and self-employed, independent contractors, sole proprietors) access to expanded Small Business Administration emergency “7(a)” loans up to $10 million. The portion of the loans up that are used to pay for employee payrolls will be waived and forgiven if those companies maintain their previous level of staffing up to June 30th. The loan will also forgive expenses for health insurance premiums, facilities costs (rent, mortgage, utilities,) and debt service.

DIRECT PAYMENTS TO INDIVIDUALS  (Senator Brian Schatz, March 27 2020)

Senator Schatz provides a summary of the logistics, rules and process for the $1,200 one time payment.

ASSISTANCE FOR HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS (Senator Schatz)

Senator Schatz provides a summary and links to protections and rules mortgage forbearance, foreclosure relief, and eviction relief for federal-linked mortgages and rental properties.

COVID Cases Today

World: Cases: 662k (+65k). Deaths:  30.7k (+3.4k). Recovered: 139.4K (+7.7k).

USA: Cases: 122.6k (+18k).  Deaths 2.1k (+400)  Recovered: 1k (+110).

Hawaii: Cases: 151 (+29).  Deaths: 0.  Hospitalized: 12 (0) Recovered: 39 (+3).

Fri. 03/27/20: COVID-19 Daily Update

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Displaced hotel workers to staff Honolulu’s new COVID-19 test site for homeless patients

About a dozen workers from the Unite Here Local 5 Union are on-the-job — They usually work with tourists in Waikiki — their NEW clients are some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.

Among those partnering to provide services are the Institute for Human Services and Hawai’i Homeless Healthcare Hui (“H4”). Medical staff will be on-site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — capable of up to 200 COVID-19 screenings and tests per day.

Virus Loans to Come With Union Neutrality Pledge for Companies  (Bloomberg Law, March 27, 2020)

The article states, “Mid-size businesses seeking loans under the new coronavirus stimulus legislation passed by Congress would have to agree not to oppose unions looking to organize their workers. Companies with between 500 and 10,000 employees applying for a direct loan from the Treasury Department would be required to ‘make a good-faith certification that the recipient will remain neutral in any union organizing effort for the term of the loan.’”

 

President Trump Signs CARES Act into Law (Steptoe, March 27, 2020)

Steptoe is an international law firm. They have created a very good and somewhat technical summary of aspects of the CARES Act. They mention lodging companies with more than one physical location where each location employs fewer than 500 employees can qualify as a small business for the SBA emergency loan under the CARES Act. Click here for link to full text of CARES Act legislation.

 

2 more drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites planned on Oahu this weekend (HawaiiNewsNow, March 27, 2020)

On Saturday, the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex will open at 8 a.m. and stay open until 2 p.m., or until officials announced a cutoff point in the line.  The same routine will be put into place on Sunday at the Kakaako Waterfront Park.  Not everyone will get tested. For more information, you may call 808-304-8816 or 808-367-6020.

On Maui, drive thru testing will be available by appointment on Monday at the War Memorial Gym parking lot. County officials say 100 test kits are available.

Over on Hawaii Island, drive-thru testing is available weekdays at Hilo Medical Center, does require a physician’s order.

Kauai residents also need a doctor’s referral to participate in drive-up sample collection at Wilcox Health Center during the week.

Corona Cases Today

World: Cases: 597k (+66k).  Deaths: 27.3K (+3.3k). Recovered: 131.7K (+9k).

USA: Cases: 104.6k (+19k). Deaths: 1.7k (+400). Recovered 890 (+180).

Hawaii: Cases: 122 (+16).  Deaths: 0 (0).  Hospitalizations: 8 (+1).

Thu. 3/26/20: COVID-19 Daily Update

ACTION ALERT! TELL CONGRESS: PROTECT WORKERS’ HEALTH

Millions of laid off Americans will start losing their company health insurance at the end of March.

During this health care crisis, companies getting emergency taxpayer money should be required to continue medical benefits for laid off workers. Please take action to protect millions of laid off Americans now!

Ready to call? Enter your information here and you’ll immediately receive a call to connect you to your U.S. Representative.

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS 

How to get health insurance if you’re worried about coronavirus or have lost your job (Star Advertiser March 26, 2020)

A useful summary presenting health insurance options with Obamacare, Medicare, Medicaid, COBRA, and employer coverage. It summarizes options for people in different scenarios such as:

  • I just lost my job-based coverage, but I’d really like to keep it.
  • I just lost my job, and my income is close to zero.
  • I just lost my job with benefits, but my family still has some income.
  • I currently buy Obamacare insurance, but I’m making less money than usual.
  • I didn’t buy health insurance this year, but I’d like some now in case I get the coronavirus.
  • I bought a short-term health plan this year, but now I’d like a more comprehensive one.

Hawaii jobless rate tops 10% with 58,000 out of work (Star Advertiser, March 26, 2020)

On Tuesday, 3/24/20, 20,041 people filed for unemployment statewide. In total for the month of March, around 58,000 people have filed for unemployment. The unemployment rate was close to 11% as of Tuesday. It was 2.7% in January.

Unemployment claims soared to 3.3 million last week, most in history (CNN, March 26, 2020)

3.3 million unemployment claims were filed in the week ending on March 21st, in the United States.  The next highest figure of weekly initial claims was 695,000 set in October 1982.

Hotel Closures Mount (Star Advertiser March 26, 2020)

80 hotels now listed to be closed or closing this week. Read the article to view the full list.

Ali‘i Health to Host COVID-19 Pop-Up Clinics Every Saturday (Big Island Now, March 26, 2020)

On the Big Island, drive-through pre-screening and testing will be offered every Saturday at Old Kona Airport. Patients can call ahead at 808-747-8321 or drive in to be pre-screened for potential testing. Drive in is open from 8am to 3pm. It appears to be free. Also on Big Island, Dr. Kaohimanu Akiona, a member of Premier Medical Group, is working with Bay Clinic to host a drive through in Hilo on Sunday. The screening and testing site will be located at Ho‘oulu Complex, 799 Pi‘ilani Street, from 8am to 3pm.

Beware second waves of COVID-19 if lockdowns eased early: study (Reuters, March 26, 2020)

As Trump pushes for an April 12th pullback of lock down measures, health experts continue to warn that social policies must continue for a long time to prevent spikes in the curve that will overwhelm healthcare capacity, and that premature easing of lock down restrictions will only cause resurgences of the virus.

Corona Cases

Worldwide: Cases: 531,000. Deaths: 24,000. Recovered: 122,000

USA: Cases: 85,000. Deaths: 1,288. Recovered: 713

Hawaii: Cases: 106. Deaths: 0. Hospitalized: 7

Wed. 3/25/20: COVID-19 Daily Update

UPDATES RE: THE STATE’S UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICE

We know you may still be experiencing challenges with unemployment. The Union has communicated these concerns with the State. If there’s any updated information from the State’s Unemployment Office we will be sure to pass them along.

Please remember that it is your responsibility to check the email account you used to register with the State’s Unemployment office.

If you already completed the initial unemployment registration form utilizing the specific URL designated for Local 5 members, you will be receiving your next set of instructions from the State’s Unemployment Office. Please wait and look out for that email. This will not happen instantaneously as the State is still experiencing an increased volume of applicants.

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT GEMMA WEINSTEIN

UNITE HERE Local 5 President Gemma Weinstein has a message for our members as we face the impact of COVID-19. Watch her message here and share it on Facebook.

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

More than 60,000 have filed for unemployment in Hawaii so far this month (HawaiiNewsNow March 25, 2020)

For the month, over 60,000 people have filed for unemployment.  Here are the figures of initial claims per day over the last week:

March 19: 1,117

March 20: 1,679

March 21: 3,914

March 22: 4,996

March 23: 19,534

March 24: 20,041

Total: 51,281

What’s the coronavirus risk to Hawaii hotel and restaurant workers? Start at $8.7M a day.  (Pacific Business News, March 25, 2020)

According to this analysis, the impact of shelter at home orders in Hawaii for the hotel and restaurant industry is $8.7 million in daily wages and more in tips. Nationally, that’s about $580 million in hotel and restaurant wages plus tips.

A breakdown of Hawaii impacts:

  • Urban Honolulu: $4.5 million in hotel and restaurant wages per day, across more than 58,000 employees
  • Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina area: More than $2.2 million in hotel and restaurant wages, split between 20,834 workers, could be affected
  • Hilo: $1.1 million in daily wages split among 13,480 employees
  • Kapaa: wages equal more than $895,000, representing the daily pay of 9,169 employees

Major hotels close across the state; job losses mount to more than 40,000 since mid-February (Star Advertiser, March 25, 2020)

On Sunday, 3/22/20, the state’s daily airline passenger counts—which in peak times average about 50,000 passengers a day—had fallen to about 7,000; of those, only about 3,000 were likely visitors.  As of Tuesday, 3/24/20, about 40 hotels have closed or plan to close this week. Hotel executives expect up to 67 closures across Hawaii in near future. Read the article for the full list of hotel closures.

The 14-day quarantine of visitors and returning residents starts tonight (Thu. 3/26/20) at midnight.

‘Some may even die, I don’t know’: Former Wells Fargo CEO wants people to go back to work and ‘see what happens’ (Business Insider, March 25, 2020)

As Trump continues to push for April 12th “return to work,” the CEO of Wells Fargo bank wants people to go back to work even though he knows some may die and we should just “see what happens.”

Workers Are More Valuable Than CEOs (Jacobin, March 2020)

It’s the people who pick up our trash, connect our calls, deliver our food, stock our shelves, and pick our fruit who keep our economy going. When working class people have money (and freedom and time) in their pockets to spend, the economy and everyone benefits.

Corona Cases Roundup

Worldwide: Confirmed Cases: 468k, Deaths: 21k, Recovered: 114k

USA: Confirmed cases: 68k, Deaths: 1,031, Recovered: 593

Hawaii: Confirmed cases: 95 (+6), Deaths: 0 (-1), Hospitalized: 5 (0)

The reported first death was incorrect. We are still at zero deaths in Hawai’i.

Tue. 3/24/20: COVID-19 Daily Update

Unemployment Application Update

Our staff is dedicated to assist you in applying for unemployment. We are receiving high volume of calls, so we ask that you remain patient and understanding. Local 5 is working to expand our capacity so we can assist you through the process. We are in this together and we appreciate your support.

We have translated the Unemployment Application Instructions page to CHINESE.

Click here:  點擊這裡查看中文翻譯

 

SHOUT-OUT TO OUR KAISER MEMBERS

We want to highlight the hard work and dedication of our Local 5 members at Kaiser. Thank you, Kaiser workers, for all that you do to ensure the safety & health of our communities. We stand in solidarity with all of our workers—we are always stronger together. 

 

RESOURCES PAGE

Local 5 has a community resources page on our website, which includes a list of 38 schools statewide that are providing grab-and-go breakfast and lunch to children who are 18 years or younger.

Our Local 5 website also has a list of facilities for COVID-19 screening

 

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

COVID Cases Summary

Worldwide: Cases: 423k, Deaths: 19k, Total recovered: 108k

US Cases: Cases: 55k, Deaths: 790, Recovered: 348

Hawaii: Cases: 90, Deaths 1, Hospitalized: 6

Hawaii public school cafeteria workers begin free meal service (Star Advertiser, March 24 2020)

Starting today, up to 39 campuses statewide will start to provide free to go lunches to students.  The meals are free to any child who must be present for pickup.  Pickup times are 7:30am to 8am, and 11:30am to 12:00pm.   As of Tuesday, Oahu schools providing meals are: Dole Middle School, Farrington High, Kahaluu Elementary, Kahuku High & Intermediate, Kailua Elementary, Kaimuki High, King Intermediate, Leilehua High, Makalapa Elementary, McKinley High, Waialua High & Intermediate and Waimanalo Elementary & Intermediate. On Wednesday, the Leeward Oahu district will also begin distribution at August Ahrens Elementary, Campbell High, Kapolei High, Maili Elementary, Nanaikapono Elementary, Nanakuli High & Intermediate, Waianae Intermediate, Waianae High and Waipahu Elementary.   Neighbor Island school locations ca be viewed at DOE’s webpage for the lunch program here.

 

Hawaii public school campuses to remain closed through April 30 (Hawaii News Now March 24, 2020)

Spring break extended to April 30th per stay at home order.  Some online materials may be developed for students.


Here’s what’s in the developing coronavirus stimulus bill (CNBC March 24, 2020)

The “third” COVID response package, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). As of Tuesday 7:45 HST, Senate voted to pass the bill. Democrats stopped previous republican versions of the bill that were corporation friendly. This bill should have more worker friendly provisions and restrictions/oversight on corporate bailouts.  The CARES Act reportedly includes:

  • Cash payments of up to $1,200 for individuals, $2,400 for married couples and $500 per child, reduced if an individual makes more than $75,000 or a couple makes more than $150,000
  • Strengthened unemployment insurance, which could potentially add $600 per week for up to four months on top of what a state would give beneficiaries.
  • A $350 billion fund for small businesses to mitigate layoffs and support payroll
  • $500 billion available to the Treasury Department to make loans, loan guarantees and investments to or in industries damaged by the pandemic
  • Requires that recipients of loans do not buy back stock during the time the loan is outstanding, and that executives or employees who made more than $425,000 in 2019 do not get a raise for the next two years [this means a $10 million salary can still be $10M, just can’t be raised more]
  • Requires group health plans and insurance providers to cover without cost-sharing any coronavirus preventive services
  • An employee retention tax credit
  • $10 billion for airport relief
  • $50 billion in relief to airlines in the form of loans or grants,
  •  more…

 

Halekulani is latest hotel to close its doors ahead of mandatory quarantine rule (Hawaii News Now, March 23, 2020)

Halekulani and its sister hotel Halepuna Waikiki will close through April 30th

Mon. 3/23/20: COVID-19 Daily Update

NEW UNEMPLOYMENT WEBSITE URL

Great News! DLIR created a separate website URL just for Local 5 members to file for unemployment. If you are having difficulty with the DLIR website, try going to this exclusive website. This will be a much faster process to file your initial claim. To get the website link, please text UNEMPLOYMENT to 877-877.

For complete instructions on how to file for unemployment, check out our webpage.

TELL CONGRESS: PUT WORKERS FIRST!

Thousands of workers—not just billionaire companies—need cash in their pockets RIGHT NOW.

Email your member of Congress today to tell them to put workers first. Tell them that you do NOT support any COVID-19 bailout package for the rich that does not:

  • Greatly expand unemployment insurance
  • Extend workers’ health insurance coverage
  • Require companies to pay emergency sick-pay to workers affected by the virus
  • Guarantee family and medical leave
  • Maintain funding for nutrition programs like food stamps and WIC
  • Provide emergency rent and mortgage relief for workers who have been laid-off

Click here to email your member of Congress to tell them to put workers first.

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

To face ‘unprecedented’ virus threat, Ige issues statewide stay-at-home order (Hawaii News Now, March 23, 2020)

Governor Ige has ordered a statewide stay at home order effective at 12:01am on Wednesday, March 25 until Thursday, April 30. The State order can be viewed here. The governor said discrepancies between the state and county orders would be ironed out in the days ahead, and that there will be process for businesses to seek “essential” status. Ige’s Facebook video press conference can be viewed here. The State says HI state tax filing deadline is automatically extended until July 20, 2020. The federal tax filing deadline was already extended until July 15, 2020.

The Kahala Hotel & Resort temporarily suspends operations to prevent COVID-19 spread (KHON2, March 23, 2020)

The closure is effective March 24 to May 1. All in-house guests will be given the option to stay through their scheduled check-out date or depart the resort without penalty. Upcoming reservations from March 24 to May 1 will be canceled. Reservations for new arrivals will be accepted online starting May 1.

Starbucks Is Paying All Workers for the Next 30 Days, Even If They Choose to Stay Home (Men’s Health, March 22, 2020)

Local 5 represents Starbucks workers at the Hilton Hawaiian Village and Ala Moana Hotel, as well as HMS Host Starbucks workers at Honolulu Airport, Lihue Airport, and Kahului Airport. We have not received any word from these employers about whether Starbucks workers in the hotels or airports will be paid for the next 30 days, even if they choose to stay at home.

Why should these Starbucks workers be treated any differently? Why aren’t HMS Host and hotel Starbucks guaranteeing that their workers get paid amidst this pandemic? Why aren’t all employers stepping up and paying workers during this crisis?

U.S. Domestic Passenger Flights Could Virtually Shut Down, Voluntarily or by Government Order  (Wall Street Journal, March 23, 2020)

It appears the airline industry is close to or preparing for a virtual shut down of domestic passenger flights.

House Democrats introduce a $2.5 trillion coronavirus stimulus plan as Senate bill stalls (CNBC, March 23, 2020)

After Democrats blocked the Republican Senate’s corporate bailout bill, the US House is offering its own worker-oriented bill. A $2.5 trillion bill, it will have:

  • Direct payments to individuals of $1,500 and up to $7,500 for a family of five
  • No cost-sharing for coronavirus vaccines and treatments, including for the uninsured.
  • Expanded access to paid family and medical leave
  • $500 billion in grants and interest-free loans to small businesses
  • Strengthened unemployment insurance, with $600 per week for people affected by coronavirus and eligible for unemployment benefits
  • $150 billion in funding for hospitals, community health centers and government health programs
  • $60 billion in funding for schools and universities along with student debt relief.
  • More funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other food assistance programs.
  • $4 billion in state election grants and a national requirement for 15 days of early voting and no-excuse absentee voting as fears grow about coronavirus spreading at crowded polling sites

House Democrats unveil bill to cancel $30,000 in student debt per borrower amid coronavirus (Yahoo.com, March 23, 2020)

It’s unclear what the bill’s chances are. The article notes that Department of Education has officially offered two options for borrowers at present: 1) The department has dropped interest rates on student loans automatically to 0% for at least the next 60 days, and 2) those who are having real difficulty with their loans can request interest-free forbearance from their service for at least two months—and require no documentation to receive it. Additionally, if borrowers are more than 31 days delinquent on their federal loans as of March 13, their payments are now suspended. According to ED, more than 3.2 million federal student loans are more than 31 days delinquent. 7.7 million are in default.

Local Kauai utility companies suspend shut offs, close walk-in centers (Pacific Business News, March 23, 2020)

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative has suspended service disconnections for a 30-day period. The suspension of service disconnection will apply to both residential and commercial customers until April 17, 2020. Regular bill payments, however, have not been waived. KIUC urges customers to make payments via phone, mail, internet and email; walk-in payment is not available.

Hawaii Confirmed Cases as of 12pm on Monday, 3/23/2020 (Hawaii Department of Health):

77 total
Oahu = 53
Hawaii = 5
Kauai = 3
Maui = 11
Unknown = 5
4 are hospitalized
0 deaths