Extension of Digital Divide?

[yankees60]

For a long time there has been discussion about the "Digital Divide" in our country.

I believe, though, that most of its focus has been on its impact on the education on children?

During this time of National Emergency is it now being extended to adults? Those who can stay home and get their work done and, thereby remain safe from exposure to the general public and coworkers and earning an income, while those on the other side of the digital divide whose work requires a physical presence either continue to expose themselves to the risk of exposure to the general public and coworkers, or if not working, have no income.

Vinny

[drumminj]

That's an interesting thought, though I'm not sure the conclusion is obvious.

Around here, many who are hourly/can't do their jobs remotely are being paid to simply not work. Those who can work from home are, and those who can't are just told to stay home, but the companies are still paying them (which is a nice move, I agree).

Costco, on the other hand, told everyone to stay home and not work (obviously this is for their corporate employees, not those working in the warehouses), even those who can do their jobs remotely (presumably out of "fairness"). Disney just closed and is giving everyone an 18-day paid "vacation."

It almost seems like those who can't do their jobs remotely are actually coming out ahead in this?

That said, what you say is certainly true of those who work the retail side of things, as stores remain open.

[yankees60]

That's an interesting thought, though I'm not sure the conclusion is obvious.

Around here, many who are hourly/can't do their jobs remotely are being paid to simply not work. Those who can work from home are, and those who can't are just told to stay home, but the companies are still paying them (which is a nice move, I agree).

Costco, on the other hand, told everyone to stay home and not work (obviously this is for their corporate employees, not those working in the warehouses), even those who can do their jobs remotely (presumably out of "fairness"). Disney just closed and is giving everyone an 18-day paid "vacation."

It almost seems like those who can't do their jobs remotely are actually coming out ahead in this?

That said, what you say is certainly true of those who work the retail side of things, as stores remain open.

They may be coming out ahead in this. For now. But if this persists for many week or even months there is a limit to corporate largesse. They are all using their surpluses to pay for things like this. But almost all of their surpluses are draining from the drastically reduced economic activity.

Everyone wants someone else to pay for everyone's income to continue. But, eventually, as almost all here all to well know, you do run out of those someone else's to pay.

Vinny

[yankees60]

^this.

I could be a nice guy and close my office for 2 weeks while paying the staff not to work while there is zero revenue being generated. But if this drags on for 2 months? The county still expects full payment of real estate taxes. Rent still due. If no money is coming in, unless the government throws free payroll at me for the staff, this will quickly become a huge problem. My pockets aren't as deep as Disney's.

I TOTALLY, 100% understand your position. It seems, though, that those in government and many regular people, though, don't seem to understand this. That somehow they can continue to be paid without them themselves generating revenues or their organizations having drastically reduced revenues or both.

Vinny

[drumminj]

REI, the Kent, Wash., based adventure gear company said Sunday it will close all 162 of its retail stores nationwide from March 16-27. REI plans to pay all store employees during the closure and cover shipping for online orders while stores are closed

Another local business closing but continuing to pay employees...

[yankees60]

^this.

I could be a nice guy and close my office for 2 weeks while paying the staff not to work while there is zero revenue being generated. But if this drags on for 2 months? The county still expects full payment of real estate taxes. Rent still due. If no money is coming in, unless the government throws free payroll at me for the staff, this will quickly become a huge problem. My pockets aren't as deep as Disney's.

I TOTALLY, 100% understand your position. It seems, though, that those in government and many regular people, though, don't seem to understand this. That somehow they can continue to be paid without them themselves generating revenues or their organizations having drastically reduced revenues or both.

Vinny

Well as it turns out, the state dental society issued a directive (i.e., voluntary, not mandated) to close the office other than emergencies. I canceled all patients for the next 2 weeks and told my staff they would get paid anyway. My guess is that in 2 weeks, they will say 2 weeks isn't enough. We'll see.

I've not yet received another notice from my dentist.

Vinny