Global recession, supply issues and other COVID-19 consequences

[etienne]

Housing market is a little bit special because houses for rent are mainly built when prices are high, so low prices stop new constructions for rental until prices go up again.

[Tom_Mazanec]

How The Pandemic Recession Is Affecting Food Insecurity In The U.S.
https://www.npr.org/2021/02/12/967458693/how-the-pandemic-recession-is-affecting-food-insecurity-in-the-u-s

In American Indicators, NPR's Ari Shapiro examines how people are being affected by high rates of food insecurity due to the pandemic recession.

Swiss economy seen tipping into recession on Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns
https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/swiss-economy-seen-tipping-into-recession-on-covid-19-pandemic-shutdowns-121021300063_1.html

The median forecast was for a 0.7 per cent drop in gross domestic product in the final quarter of 2020

NBC 5 Responds: As Pandemic Presses on, Limitations of Eviction Moratorium Come Into Focus
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/nbc-5-responds/nbc-5-responds-as-pandemic-presses-on-limitations-of-eviction-moratorium-come-into-focus/2550607/

Housing advocates say renters face homelessness unless lawmakers step in

More than 900 Louisville residents evicted since start of 2021
https://www.wave3.com/2021/02/12/more-than-louisville-residents-evicted-since-start/

The City of Louisville is facing a crisis within a pandemic.
Evictions are at a record high, putting more people on the streets during dangerous weather conditions.

Landowner sues over LA moratorium on commercial evictions
https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/landowner-sues-over-la-moratorium-on-commercial-evictions/article_d715e974-6d5f-11eb-9f29-0fcce9c290ba.html

A Vietnam veteran and owner of a commercial building in Lawndale has sued Los Angeles County over its moratorium on commercial evictions. The first to challenge the commercial eviction moratorium, the lawsuit was filed by the nonprofit Pacific Legal Foundation in U.S. District Court.
Howard Iten, a retired auto mechanic, has leased his garage to an auto repair franchisee, which he claims owes him more than $30,000 in rent. Because of the county’s moratorium on evictions, Iten can’t evict or collect the rent money he says he is due.

[Sigmetnow]

U.S.
Federal Reserve to Test Ability of Largest Banks to Weather a Recession
Stress test will feature a scenario in which markets seize up and unemployment jumps above 10%
Feb. 12, 2021

The so-called stress test, conducted annually to see how banks would react to dramatic market and economic shocks, will feature a scenario in which a severe global recession leads to “substantial stress” in commercial real estate and corporate debt markets, the Fed said.

In a “severely adverse” scenario, unemployment rises by 4 percentage points to reach nearly 11% in the third quarter of next year, as gross domestic product falls and asset prices drop sharply, including a 55% decline in equity prices.

Designed to gauge the health of the nation’s banking system, the stress tests were expanded last year to study the effect of the downturn brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. The Fed said in June that U.S. banks were strong enough to withstand the crisis and restricted dividend payouts and buybacks to make sure they stay that way.
...
In a second round of tests last fall, the Fed again found banks were healthy enough to survive the coronavirus crisis but warned that a prolonged economic downturn could saddle them with hundreds of billions of dollars in losses on soured loans. ...

https://www.wsj.com/articles/fed-to-test-ability-of-largest-banks-to-weather-a-recession-11613139891

[Tom_Mazanec]

Lockdowns Have Devastated the Global Poor
https://www.aier.org/article/lockdowns-have-devastated-the-global-poor/

In particular, developing countries likely do not have the same support structures be it private or public as countries like the United States do. They cannot simply print trillions of dollars to finance quantitative easing policies to prop up the stock market or send stimulus checks to ailing citizens. They also likely lack the private safety nets created by nonprofits and the general flexibility of an advanced business sector. One can only imagine the damage economic depression would bring upon such communities.

U.K. Economy Suffers Biggest Slump in 300 Years Amid Covid-19 Lockdowns
https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-k-economy-suffers-biggest-slump-in-300-years-amid-covid-19-lockdowns-11613118912

Lockdowns in Britain contributed to the largest contraction of the world’s major economies in 2020

[Tom_Mazanec]

I noticed there are a lot of empty spaces on my Church Bulletin's advertising page...

Tory policies will determine how bad this recession gets – and the signs aren't good
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/14/tory-policies-recession-boris-johnson-austerity-covid-labour

It’s not recessions that should scare us the most: it’s the political choices that follow. Due to a failure to suppress its public health crisis and the subsequent lockdowns, Britain suffered its worst annual decline in 300 years, with a 9.9% drop in GDP in 2020. Behind this abstract statistic is an all too real human crisis: lost jobs, cut wages, rising debts, rent arrears, hunger. Whether this crisis is exacerbated or resolved will not depend on market forces, but on political responses.

Not all evictions have stopped, here’s why
https://www.valleynewslive.com/2021/02/13/not-all-evictions-have-stopped-heres-why/

The bottom line is the moratorium isn’t law. It doesn’t mean renters won’t have to pay the money back. Meaning, it’s still up to a local court to decide the fate of the renter. For Delage, that will be on Friday.

Evictions going strong in Metairie, even as Orleans curbs them during pandemic
https://www.nola.com/news/courts/article_962c0786-6d82-11eb-a274-af23ceffbce1.html

Cusimano expressed frustration at the lack of clear answers under the CDC's rules. From the bench, he pleaded with attorneys for both sides to appeal his rulings.
“The way this act is written, it’s terrible,” he said. “There were some good intentions in this act. Just give me clarity...I've begged you guys to take anything up (on appeal) that sounds ridiculous."

Duluth officials brace for eventual lifting of eviction moratorium
https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/government-and-politics/6885523-Duluth-officials-brace-for-eventual-lifting-of-eviction-moratorium

Imperfect as it may be, the moratorium has kept people housed through the COVID-19 pandemic, and local housing advocates worry about what may happen when it goes away.

As RI’s Tsunami of Evictions Approaches, Tenants Need Legal Support: Guest MINDSETTER™ Schoos
https://www.golocalprov.com/news/as-ris-tsunami-of-evictions-approaches-tenants-need-legal-support-guest-min

In the coming months, as we emerge from our pandemic nightmare, thousands of Rhode Islanders – often low-income Rhode Islanders – will be confronted with a variety of legal actions touching on evictions to debt collections. Many, in need of basic legal support, will be left to fend for themselves in a process they often find mystifying.
The sad fact is that the existing legal services organizations are already overtaxed and there is no other mechanism in place to meet the needs of low-income Rhode Islanders. As some may know, for the past several years I have been a proponent of an Access To Justice Commission to determine which legal services would be necessary to serve the needs of underserved low-income Rhode Islanders, and how to actually do so.

[The Walrus]

Lockdowns Have Devastated the Global Poor
https://www.aier.org/article/lockdowns-have-devastated-the-global-poor/

In particular, developing countries likely do not have the same support structures be it private or public as countries like the United States do. They cannot simply print trillions of dollars to finance quantitative easing policies to prop up the stock market or send stimulus checks to ailing citizens. They also likely lack the private safety nets created by nonprofits and the general flexibility of an advanced business sector. One can only imagine the damage economic depression would bring upon such communities.

Exactly!  The lockdowns were engineered by the wealthy to maintain their own lifestyle.  They had little regard for the poor, who could operate similarly.  They were able to convince enough people that it was for the greater good, that they went along.  When all is said and done, the rich will be richer and the poor will be poorer.  Nicely done.

[Rodius]

Lockdowns Have Devastated the Global Poor
https://www.aier.org/article/lockdowns-have-devastated-the-global-poor/

In particular, developing countries likely do not have the same support structures be it private or public as countries like the United States do. They cannot simply print trillions of dollars to finance quantitative easing policies to prop up the stock market or send stimulus checks to ailing citizens. They also likely lack the private safety nets created by nonprofits and the general flexibility of an advanced business sector. One can only imagine the damage economic depression would bring upon such communities.

Exactly!  The lockdowns were engineered by the wealthy to maintain their own lifestyle.  They had little regard for the poor, who could operate similarly.  They were able to convince enough people that it was for the greater good, that they went along.  When all is said and done, the rich will be richer and the poor will be poorer.  Nicely done.

I agree with the added info that the process of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer has been happening for decades already.... all Covid has allowed is for the process to be put on steroids.
Essentially speaking, nothing has changed except the speed of the destructions of the poor.

[Tom_Mazanec]

Oregon Insight: Portland small businesses still expect a long recession
https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2021/02/oregon-insight-portland-small-businesses-still-expect-a-long-recession.html

Small businesses in the Portland area entered 2021 with a grim outlook for the year, with most expecting the coronavirus recession would last into summer.

Stories Of Hunger In Polk County Duplicated Across America
https://patch.com/florida/lakeland/stories-hunger-polk-county-duplicated-across-america

The average SNAP benefit in the pandemic is about $2 per person per meal.

Flood of business bankruptcies hasn't hit yet, but here's why Raleigh-Durham attorneys see one coming
https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2021/02/08/business-bankruptcies-attorneys-pandemic-flood.html

Bankruptcy attorneys haven't been flooded with filings during the pandemic, but that doesn't mean they're ditching the life raft.

Meanwhile, across the pond:
Landlords evicting hundreds during lockdown with government’s new ‘eviction ban’ loopholes
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/eviction-ban-lockdown-extended-loopholes-landlords-b1802188.html

Hundreds of renters have been thrown out of their homes in the middle of lockdown after the government caved in to landlord lobbying and introduced loopholes to its eviction ban.

[Tom_Mazanec]

Evictions are happening despite moratorium, how one deputy tries to help
https://okcfox.com/news/local/evictions-are-happening-despite-moratorium-how-one-deputy-tries-to-help

The pandemic is still taking its financial toll on many Oklahomans.
Despite an eviction moratorium put in place by the CDC, hundreds of tenants are still being taken to court each week for not paying rent.
Fox 25 spent a day with an Oklahoma County Sheriff's deputy serving the paperwork to get a first-hand look at what she sees every day.

Gulf Coast faces high eviction rates, despite CDC moratorium
https://www.liberationnews.org/gulf-coast-faces-high-eviction-rates-despite-cdc-moratorium/

Eviction rates in the Southeast region exceed national levels. In spite of the ongoing Center for Disease Control’s Moratorium, renters in the Central Gulf Coast face harsh judges, federally funded corporate landlords, laws that favor landlords along with a lack of tenant unions in all but the largest cities.
Tenants in Florida are second highest at risk for evictions in the country. Hundreds of Florida renters have been evicted since the federal moratorium went into effect. In Florida’s Escambia County, refusing to heed the CDC moratorium, Judge Patricia Kinsey still hears eviction cases. The judge found a plaintiff, Sicliff, a subsidiary of a large Canadian corporation, which claimed the CDC moratorium represents an “unlawful taking” by forcing landlords to allow tenants to remain in units without paying. Florida has no state protection against eviction, leaving the CDC’s order as tenants’ only recourse.

I-Team: Eviction cases increase across western Massachusetts
https://www.wwlp.com/news/i-team/i-team-eviction-cases-increase-across-western-massachusetts/

For some people struggling financially from the pandemic, becoming homeless is a real fear. Thousands of people have lost jobs in the past year, making it hard to pay bills, including rent.
A state moratorium on evictions prevented most from happening for months during the pandemic.
But once it ended on October 17th, eviction notices skyrocketed, despite a federal moratorium still in place.

‘We’ve got a clock ticking’: Calls for help grow as end to eviction moratorium inches closer
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/feb/15/weve-got-a-clock-ticking-calls-for-help-grow-as-en/

Without a lifeline, thousands of renters in Spokane County could face eviction when the state’s moratorium is lifted, drowning courts with paperwork, disrupting the region’s housing market and placing many people stung by the pandemic economy at risk of homelessness.
In December and January, landlords in Spokane County filed notices of an impending eviction on 550 households that are behind on rent, about half of which are in the city of Spokane, according to the Spokane County Bar Association.
This could be just a fraction of what’s to come, warned Julie Griffith, executive director of the bar association.

A small bit of good news:
Will mass evictions amid COVID really cost Oregon $3.3 billion?
https://katu.com/news/local/will-mass-evictions-amid-covid-really-cost-oregon-33-billion

A recent Portland State University study has suggested the effects of mass evictions amid the pandemic could cost Oregon as much as $3.3 billion, but a local lawmaker and property manager say this fails to take into account how the newly passed Landlord Compensation Fund would offset those costs.

From my neck of the woods:
Support growing for ‘Pay to Stay’ legislation to help curb some evictions
https://www.freshwatercleveland.com/features/PaytoState021521.aspx

Having these Pay to Stay laws on the books would mean tenants behind on their rents are granted the right to stay in their homes if they come up with the rent (and any late fees) they owe before the eviction is granted by the court.
“It’s based on a very simple concept – if you pay your rent, you should be able to stay in your home,” Subei says. “I know that doesn’t sound controversial. However, the (current) law does not give tenants even that basic right.”
A growing group of advocacy organizations, including the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH), Black Lives Matter Cleveland and the YWCA Greater Cleveland, are also advocating for pay-to-stay measures to be adopted in Northeast Ohio. Cleveland City Council member Tony Brancatelli says some city council members have discussed the concept, but no ordinance has been proposed.

[Tom_Mazanec]

From: Goldie Blumenstyk
Subject: The Edge: What’s Different About This Recession and Why That Matters to Higher Ed
https://www.chronicle.com/newsletter/the-edge/2021-02-17

Maybe you’ve heard about the findings in this new survey: About half of adults in the United States who are currently unemployed, furloughed, or temporarily laid off and are looking for work “are pessimistic about their prospects for future employment,” according to the Pew Research Center. Most say they’ve seriously considered changing fields or occupations since being out of work.
If this recession were like past ones, that dire finding would at least have been encouraging for college enrollments. But with a few exceptions (like some big online universities I wrote about recently), that hasn’t been the case this time. Two reasons for that are the speed with which this economic blow struck and the magnitude of its fallout. “It didn’t give anyone time to prepare,” says Bridget Terry Long, dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. “It really was a shock to the system.”

COVID relief spending has saved US economy from 'great recession', Steven Mnuchin says
https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/steven-mnuchin-joins-kudlow-in-first-interview-since-leaving-white-house

The former treasury secretary suggested he would like to see a fifth and sixth relief bill passed

I-Team: Evictions piling up now that state moratorium has ended
https://www.wwlp.com/news/i-team/i-team-evictions-piling-up-now-that-state-moratorium-has-ended/

Many people have lost jobs during this pandemic making it hard to pay bills, including rent.
A state moratorium on evictions prevented most from happening for months during the pandemic. However, once it ended in October, eviction notices skyrocketed. The 22News I-Team discovered Springfield is one of the hardest-hit cities in the Commonwealth.

Thousands of Western Pennsylvania tenants facing eviction despite moratorium
https://www.wtae.com/article/thousands-of-western-pennsylvania-tenants-facing-eviction-despite-moratorium/35525011#

President Joe Biden has extended the national moratorium on evictions until March 31.
But Action News Investigates has learned that despite the moratorium, hundreds of tenants in Western Pennsylvania have been evicted in just the last few months.
Thousands more are facing eviction.

Despite Moratorium, Nearly 1,000 San Diegans Evicted Last Year
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/investigations/nbc-7-responds/despite-moratorium-nearly-1000-san-diegans-evicted-last-year/2522927/

Since eviction moratoriums have been in place since the pandemic began, a wave of evictions is likely coming when they expire in June. However, even during 2020, and into this year, people were still being evicted.
"Some tenants are still being evicted under certain circumstances," said Erin Rounds, managing attorney at Tenants Legal Center. "I understand that this is a frustrating time for both tenants and landlords."

[Tom_Mazanec]

Rodius mentioned hunger as a uprising trigger.
Here is what is going on in my neck of the woods:
Greater Cleveland Food Bank launches 30th Harvest for Hunger campaign: How you can make a donation
https://www.wkyc.com/article/life/food/harvest-for-hunger-greater-cleveland-food-bank/95-9ac5fa92-e3e5-401c-9d3d-bdd52002ed78

More than 25 million meals are in the plans this year from Northeast Ohio food banks as they launch the 30th annual Harvest for Hunger fundraising campaign.
“When you donate $1 to Harvest for Hunger, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank can help provide enough food for four nutritious meals,” officials said. “The Food Bank is serving more people than ever before. Many new families who have never used a food bank before are turning to us for the first time – the Food Bank is serving twice as many new families compared to the same time last year.”

Harvest for Hunger kicks off virtually, but the reality is the drive is much-needed
https://www.cleveland19.com/2021/02/17/harvest-hunger-kicks-off-virtually-reality-is-drive-is-much-needed/

Pandemic created greater need for food making six-week event even more important

Ohio food banks team up for annual Harvest for Hunger campaign amid coronavirus pandemic that left thousands of families in need
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2021/02/ohio-food-banks-team-up-for-annual-harvest-for-hunger-campaign-amid-coronavirus-pandemic-that-left-thousands-of-families-in-need.html

Harvest for Hunger begins its 30th annual 21-county food collection campaign virtually on Feb. 17 amid an ongoing pandemic that’s resulting in unprecedented levels of need among Ohioans.

There are similar articles for almost every city in the country on how bad it is and how people can help.
Some examples:
West Virginia middle schoolers build Free Little Pantry to fight hunger
https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/regional-news/west-virginia-news/west-virginia-middle-schoolers-build-free-little-pantry-to-fight-hunger/

“The bigger picture of the pandemic and the need. And how the statistic that one out of six people are going hungry,” said Jenna Hill, an Art Teacher at South Charleston Middle School.

Three-Way Chevrolet tackles hunger with check and food pallet donation
https://www.kget.com/news/local-news/three-way-chevrolet-tackles-hunger-with-check-and-food-pallet-donation/

Three-Way Chevrolet was at KGET Channel 17’s studio Wednesday to present a check for $1,000 and a pallet of food for the Bakersfield Homeless Center.
The donation comes at the end of Three-Way’s Tackle Hunger Kern County campaign where food or money donations were dropped off at the dealership through Jan. 31 to be given to the center.

Fighting hunger event raises over $64,000
https://www.wadenapj.com/community/6891656-Fighting-hunger-event-raises-over-64000

During this pandemic, community members have all experienced some sort of unexpected challenge but the one piece that has stayed true and strong for the communities is giving back to those in need. Food shelves have been hit hard over this past year along with the need of the weekend feeding backpack programs throughout the counties, according to a United Way news release.

Worsening hunger accompanies the pandemic
https://catholicphilly.com/2021/02/commentaries/worsening-hunger-accompanies-the-pandemic/

Hunger grows apace with the COVID-19 pandemic that by the time this column appears may have taken the lives of nearly 500,000 Americans, the highest toll of any nation in the world. Millions of Americans and up to billions worldwide are already, or will become, victims of what the experts declare, euphemistically, as “food insecurity.”

Stories Of Hunger In Camden County Duplicated Across America
https://patch.com/new-jersey/gloucestertownship/stories-hunger-camden-county-duplicated-across-america

In 2020, food insecurity rose by 57.4 percent in Camden County, from 52,430 people to 77,600, according to Feeding America.

https://www.thecity.nyc/brooklyn/2021/2/17/22288352/brooklyn-food-pantries-look-to-expand

With demand remaining high a year into the pandemic, Masbia, which operates around the clock, five days a week with two pantries in Brooklyn and one in Queens, is expanding its capacity to serve.

Seattle cargo-biking initiative fights hunger with pedal power
https://www.bicycleretailer.com/retail-news/2021/02/17/seattle-cargo-biking-initiative-fights-hunger-pedal-power#.YC5WNPhKhuU

Created in the early days of the pandemic, when layoffs and job losses caused a sharp spike in demand for food assistance, the project has enlisted more than 450 volunteer bicyclists to deliver 176,000 pounds of goods over the past nine months.

Nevada City Lions Club to participate in California Lions Project Care: Hunger
https://yubanet.com/regional/nevada-city-lions-club-to-participate-in-california-lions-project-care-hunger/

The purpose of the California Lions Project Care: Hunger is to engage all California Lions Clubs of all sizes in a statewide community service program that is of such vital importance during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Hoops Fighting Hunger
https://gooddaysacramento.cbslocal.com/video/program/652/5310360-hoops-fighting-hunger/

Julissa Ortiz is with the creator of Hoops Fighting Hunger showing us how her creations help those in need.

High Number of Evictions Prompts Richmond to Consider Stronger Protections
https://www.kqed.org/news/11860656/high-number-of-evictions-prompts-richmond-to-consider-stronger-protections

Despite statewide protections that prevent tenants from eviction for nonpayment of rent if they claim a financial hardship, evictions are still happening, including in the city of Richmond. Contra Costa County evicted 135 people between the beginning of the pandemic and the end of 2020, the second-highest number of evictions across the Bay Area. That’s according to a KQED analysis of sheriff lockouts that was cited in the council member’s report.

‘The need is enormous’: Moratorium not stopping evictions in WI
https://wkow.com/2021/02/17/the-need-is-enormous-moratorium-not-stopping-evictions-in-wi/

A federal ban on evictions has not kept landlords from finding ways to remove people from their homes during the pandemic.

New Indiana law enacted over governor's veto speeds evictions, eliminates local rental regulations
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/new-indiana-law-enacted-over-governors-veto-speeds-evictions-eliminates-local-rental-regulations/article_d5d9468f-2aa5-5bae-bd44-3f9154433239.html

The Republican-controlled General Assembly delivered Wednesday the first of what likely will be several rebukes this year to Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb.
But in aiming for Indiana's chief executive, who some GOP lawmakers believe has overstepped his authority responding to the COVID-19 emergency, the Legislature ended up hitting all Hoosiers who rent the home they live in.

In hot spots in Maricopa County, 1 in 5 households evicted, report says
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2021/02/17/maricopa-county-eviction-rates-rising-reports-show/4357458001/

About 4 out of every 100 households lost their homes in Maricopa County from 2017-19, one of the worst rankings of America's Sunbelt cities, according to national reports.
But some areas of the county fare much worse than others. In some census tracts in the western half of Maricopa County, more than one-fifth of the households have lost their homes. Other tracts with higher rates include parts of Tempe, Mesa and north Phoenix, where 1 in 10 households have lost their homes.

Minnesota AG sues Apple Valley landlord for pandemic eviction
https://www.twincities.com/2021/02/17/keith-ellison-mn-ag-sues-apple-valley-landlord-for-pandemic-eviction/

“Most landlords are complying with the governor’s orders to allow tenants to remain housed during the peacetime emergency, and I thank them for it: they’re doing their part to keep our fellow Minnesotans safe from a deadly virus that has already killed nearly a half-million Americans,” Ellison said in a news release. “The governor has reasonably modified the orders over time to create some common-sense exceptions, but I will not allow anyone to take advantage of those exemptions. This case should serve as a warning to any landlord even thinking about it: if you falsely claim an exemption applies in an effort to force your tenants out during this emergency, my office will not hesitate to take action against you.”

[Tom_Mazanec]

Encinitas nonprofit enlists home gardeners in the fight against hunger
https://www.encinitasadvocate.com/lifestyle/story/2021-02-18/encinitas-nonprofit-enlists-home-gardeners-in-the-fight-against-hunger

Encinitas-based nonprofit Healthy Day Partners has launched a program that lets local gardeners donate their produce to people in need.
The program, Homegrown Hunger Relief, is especially timely as food scarcity rates have skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Red State Budgets Are Suffering The Most In This Recession
https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizfarmer/2021/02/18/red-state-budgets-are-suffering-the-most-in-this-recession/

More Republican-led states are still dealing with big revenue losses thanks to the coronavirus-driven recession, even as the rest of the nation makes up ground.
Of those states suffering at least a 3% drop in revenue since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, two-thirds (eight in 12) are red states. Alaska, Florida, North Dakota and Texas are seeing some of the worst revenue losses of 9% or higher over the comparable period in 2019, according to the latest data from the Urban Institute.

New data tool demonstrates pandemic recession unique from past recessions
https://www.southernminn.com/faribault_daily_news/opinion/article_c6653000-fa9f-5b2d-a468-c9e172407c23.html

The dramatic drop, quick recovery and subsequent late-in-the-year employment dip of the pandemic recession look very different in comparison to the Great Recession and the 2001 recession, when looking at change in employment over the year, by month, during each recession.
And the industries hardest hit this time around are decidedly different than those most impacted during our most recent recessions. The industries that were hit hardest by job loss in those last two recessions – such as Manufacturing, Construction and Retail Trade – are faring relatively better in the current COVID-19 economic crisis. Meanwhile employment in Leisure & Hospitality, which remained flat during the previous two recessions, was devastated in the current recession.

Attorneys say a wave of bankruptcies is coming
https://www.csbj.com/premier/businessnews/attorneys-say-a-wave-of-bankruptcies-is-coming/article_7d8e6af0-722a-11eb-9681-039563b99c3f.html

For the millions of Americans who’ve seen their finances upended by the pandemic, federal stimulus payments, enhanced unemployment benefits and the slew of moratoria placed on debts might have seemed like a godsend when they were first announced. But what happens when those programs expire?
For one, bankruptcy attorneys predict that consumer and small business bankruptcy filings are going to skyrocket, and they say the wave is likely coming before the end of 2021.

Hotel Bankruptcies On The Rise As Lenders Lose Patience With Recovery
https://www.bisnow.com/national/news/hotel/hotel-bankruptcies-becoming-more-frequent-as-lenders-lose-patience-with-recovery-107807

The past year has been a historically harmful time for the hotel industry as the coronavirus pandemic pushed demand off a cliff, and it has yet to climb back up.
This fall wasn't accompanied by an avalanche of hotel bankruptcies, as lenders provided enough forbearance to keep hotel owners hanging on throughout much of 2020. That is now beginning to change.

The Running List of 2021 Retail Bankruptcies
https://www.retaildive.com/news/the-running-list-of-2021-retail-bankruptcies/594891/

The pace of bankruptcies in retail hit a high-water mark last year, after years of elevated filings that tracked with a major shakeout in the industry.
In the years leading up to 2020, those retailers that were forced to reorganize, sell themselves or liquidate entirely were typically the heavily indebted, often from private equity buyouts. The pandemic's massive disruption to sales and consumer demand brought financial strain, and sometimes ruin, to a much wider swath of the industry. Retailers that might have chugged along for years filed as they ran into liquidity shortages or faced eviction over unpaid rent.

[Tom_Mazanec]

Pink Recession: 1 in 4 women considering leaving their career amid pandemic, study shows
https://6abc.com/pink-recession-women-leaving-their-career-pandemic/10354902/

A "national emergency." That's what Vice President Kamala Harris is calling the impact this pandemic is having on women in the workforce.

The reset to lift us out of the COVID recession has to be bold: returning to where we were is nowhere near good enough
https://theconversation.com/the-reset-to-lift-us-out-of-the-covid-recession-has-to-be-bold-returning-to-where-we-were-is-nowhere-near-good-enough-155565

Talk about returning the economy to normal after the crisis is misguided. Before the crisis, normal was nowhere near good enough.

How Biden's COVID-19 relief plans could help fight hunger
https://www.pri.org/stories/2021-02-19/how-bidens-covid-19-relief-plans-could-help-fight-hunger

The Biden administration is trying to shore up SNAP, a mainstay of the safety net, as part of its new plans.

Pennsylvanians are experiencing hunger at highest levels since onset of pandemic
https://news.psu.edu/story/648277/2021/02/19/research/pennsylvanians-are-experiencing-hunger-highest-levels-onset

At the end of 2020, more than 12% of Pennsylvania households were experiencing hunger — the highest rate since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. Their report confirms anecdotal and media reports and highlights the role that community resources, such as food pantries and free school lunches, are playing in the state.
“We’ve seen the media accounts of exceptionally long lines at food banks and wanted to get a better understanding of the magnitude of the problem,” said Stephan Goetz, professor of agricultural and regional economics and director of the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development (NERCRD).

[Tom_Mazanec]

Forgot one 
Which Orlando-area ZIP codes are hit hardest by coronavirus evictions?
https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2021/02/19/which-orlando-area-zip-codes-are-hit-hardest-by-coronavirus-evictions/

The national moratorium on COVID-related evictions now extends through the end of March, but that is not stopping some landlords from trying to oust tenants who are unable to pay their rent.
News 6 uncovered thousands of evictions that were currently winding their way through Central Florida court systems.

[Tom_Mazanec]

I'm having intermittent internet outages, so I will post links individually (maybe it is the sign of a collapse?)

New York Banned Evictions. The Housing Crisis Got Worse.
https://therivernewsroom.com/new-york-eviction-ban-housing-crisis/

Landlords have found ways to oust renters with the market surging in the Hudson Valley. What will happen when the moratorium ends?

Poll: Do Utahns think there should be a moratorium on evictions during pandemic?
https://www.ksl.com/article/50111423/poll-do-utahns-think-there-should-be-a-moratorium-on-evictions-during-pandemic

Just under half — 47% — believe the state should have a moratorium, according to a new Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll. A smaller share of 24% oppose a moratorium, while slightly more — 29% — aren't sure.

Pandemic-related hunger, job loss hardest on Hispanic, low-income households
https://tucson.com/news/local/pandemic-related-hunger-job-loss-hardest-on-hispanic-low-income-households/article_57b85921-d49e-56ec-94fe-0fe31982fea5.html

About a third of Arizona families are currently experiencing what’s called food insecurity, a survey of more than 600 households across the state found.

COVID-19 causing more long-term unemployment than 2008 recession
https://www.cicnews.com/2021/02/covid-19-causing-more-long-term-unemployment-than-2008-recession-0217189.html#gs.tkhmgu

Unemployment comes as a result of businesses adjusting to pandemic-related restrictions.

Weekly jobless claims rise to 861,000 vs. 773,000 expected
https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/weekly-jobless-claims-rise-861-000-vs-773-000-expected-n1258221

The state of the labor market remains highly fragile, with around 18 million people receiving some form of unemployment assistance.

9 out of 10 NYC restaurants could not afford rent in December study finds
https://www.fox5ny.com/news/report-nine-out-of-ten-of-nyc-restaurants-could-not-afford-rent-in-december

A new report from the NYC Hospitality Alliance shows the extreme financial problems restaurants in New York City are facing, as 92% of the city's restaurants could not afford to pay their rent in December.
The number has steadily worsened throughout the pandemic, from 80% of restaurants in June 2020 not being able to pay rent.

[kassy]

I waved the magic wand and now they are one post.

There is an easy trick for such thing which was taught by typepad (although that just disappeared your posts without outages) :
Open word document and paste link and quotes in there.
From there you can post it and add the quote boxes or you can paste the code for them straight into the document. So [q uote] and [/q uote] withouth space otherwise it looks like this:

and

[Tom_Mazanec]

Feeding America CEO: Quest to fight US hunger crisis amid COVID-19 pandemic her 'greatest honor'
https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/feeding-america-ceo-claire-babineaux-fontenot

'I certainly saw the ravages of food insecurity and even malnutrition'

Penn State study: PA at highest hunger levels since beginning of pandemic
https://www.wearecentralpa.com/health/coronavirus/penn-state-study-pa-at-highest-hunger-levels-since-beginning-of-pandemic/

According to research conducted at Penn State University, over 12% of Pennsylvania households were experiencing hunger at the end of 2020.
Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences said this is the highest rate since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. For their study, researchers examined data from the U.S. Census Household Pulse Survey. This survey was administered randomly in three different phases in 2020, where participants answer questions on their employment status and food and housing security.

Florida lawmakers to decide if renters with COVID-19-related evictions can get fresh start
https://www.abcactionnews.com/money/consumer/taking-action-for-you/florida-lawmakers-to-decide-if-renters-with-covid-19-related-evictions-can-get-fresh-start

Three bills aim to protect evicted Florida tenants

Dane County woman fights eviction during moratorium
https://wkow.com/2021/02/21/dane-county-woman-fights-eviction-during-moratorium/

A federal ban on evictions is not stopping landlords from finding ways to remove people from their homes during the pandemic.
Legal Action of Wisconsin says landlords have filed more than 7,000 eviction cases in the state since the CDC's eviction moratorium took effect in September, leaving many searching for a place to stay.

[oren]

over 12% of Pennsylvania households were experiencing hunger at the end of 2020.

Pause on this for a moment. The US is a failed country, exposed by the pandemic.

[Tom_Mazanec]

Opinion: Inflation could make a stealthy comeback, with devastating consequences
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/inflation-could-make-a-stealthy-comeback-with-devastating-consequences-11613594875

Many argue that the COVID-19 crisis is deflationary, because pandemic-mitigation measures have affected aggregate demand more adversely than aggregate supply. In the first months of the crisis, this was largely the case: in April 2020, for example, oil prices fell toward, or even below, zero.
But a detailed look at supply and demand reveals a more nuanced picture. In particular, the pandemic has shifted demand from services to goods, some of which have become more expensive, owing to production and transport bottlenecks.
In current consumer-price calculations, rising goods prices are partly offset by falling prices for services such as air travel. But in reality, pandemic-related restrictions mean that consumption of many services has fallen sharply; significantly fewer people are flying, for example. Many people’s actual consumption baskets have thus become more expensive than the basket that statistical authorities use to calculate inflation.

Inflation Dec 2020-Jan 2021 was 0.43% http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl

Rent or food? Families forced into tough choices as possible COVID-19 eviction crisis looms
https://www.9news.com/article/news/investigations/colorado-covid-evictions/73-e10a1374-cf15-47a8-bd02-9a412754988d

While eviction filings are down and rent collection is stable, a surge of requests for rental assistance could indicate a crisis.

Landlords struggle with New York's eviction moratorium
https://13wham.com/news/special-reports/landlords-struggle-with-new-yorks-eviction-moratorium

Before the pandemic, Tyson had been in a court process to evict her. He said she finally paid the back rent, until the eviction moratorium went into effect and she stopped paying rent at all.
It’s part of a bigger frustration felt by landlords in New York right now. Last August, a state judge put a temporary ban on all evictions because of the pandemic. Then, in December, New York state lawmakers approved emergency legislation banning evictions through May 2021 at the earliest.
While Tyson says he certainly understands that many people are impacted financially by the coronavirus crisis, he believes some of his tenants on fixed income have chosen to intentionally stop paying rent.

Evictions happening in Richmond County despite federal moratorium
https://www.wjbf.com/news/evictions-happening-in-richmond-county-despite-federal-moratorium/

A federal moratorium on evictions is in effect. And while it doesn’t expire until next month, local people are still being ordered out of their homes.
The Richmond County Marshal’s Office carried out two evictions at an Augusta apartment complex Monday, adding to the hundreds done throughout this COVID-19 pandemic year.

[sidd]

https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Albany-landlord-tied-up-evicted-sleeping-15972981.php

Quite horrifying.

sidd

[The Walrus]

over 12% of Pennsylvania households were experiencing hunger at the end of 2020.

Pause on this for a moment. The US is a failed country, exposed by the pandemic.

I guess do, if you are referring to the failed policy of lockdowns.

[Tom_Mazanec]

Evictions Imperil Thousands of Families in Montgomery County
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2021/feb/24/evictions-imperil-thousands-families-montgomery-co/

Economic devastation of the pandemic has 14,000 eviction cases waiting to be heard for failure to pay rent, mostly held in check by a moratorium

Officials moving forward with ban on evictions in Pittsburgh during covid pandemic
https://triblive.com/local/officials-moving-forward-with-ban-on-evictions-in-pittsburgh-during-covid-pandemic/

Pittsburgh City Council members are moving forward with legislation to prevent evictions in the city during the covid-19 pandemic.

Evictions in Utah not eliminated by federal moratorium
https://kslnewsradio.com/1943729/evictions-in-utah-not-eliminated-by-federal-moratorium/

When a landlord has to evict a tenant from a rental property, the issues often involve more than late rent. And evictions are happening in Utah, despite an extension to a federal law made by President Joe Biden on his first day in office. The executive order left in place a federal moratorium on evictions due to the inability to pay.

NY Fed Economists: ‘This Time is Different’ Compared To Great Recession
https://www.pymnts.com/economy/2021/ny-fed-economists-this-time-is-different-compared-to-great-recession/

But this time around, with the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel as vaccines are rolling out, we’re seeing a healthier consumer powering through a series of economic headwinds — even while debt levels increased.

US economy poised to see historic gains in 2021 after COVID-induced recession
https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/us-economy-poised-to-see-historic-gains-in-2021-after-covid-induced-recession

Some economists have projected that the nation's GDP will be even bigger in late 2021 and 2022 than if the pandemic hadn't occurred

"Some economists"? If you put all the economists in the world on top of each other, they still couldn't come up with a conclusion.

Hunger in Central America skyrockets, U.N. agency says
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-central-america-hunger/hunger-in-central-america-skyrockets-un-agency-says-idUSKBN2AO03C?il=0

The number of people going hungry in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua has nearly quadrupled in the last two years, the United Nations said on Tuesday, as Central America has been battered by an economic crisis.

Hunger in Central America Skyrockets, UN Agency Says
https://www.voanews.com/americas/hunger-central-america-skyrockets-un-agency-says

"The COVID-19-induced economic crisis had already put food on the market shelves out of reach for the most vulnerable people when the twin hurricanes Eta and Iota battered them further," Miguel Barreto, WFP Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, said in a statement.   

[Tom_Mazanec]

My cousin-guardian (in Toledo area) got a call from his lawyer (in Cleveland area) a day or two ago that he had not gotten an important document that had to be filled out and was due at the end of the month. My cuz replied that he had never received it. Lawyer answers that he mailed it in early January.
And the Great Postal System Collapse keeps on giving...

Asian American food aid expands to address hidden hunger during pandemic
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/asian-american-food-aid-expands-address-hidden-hunger-during-pandemic-n1258628

As Asian Americans experience high rates of poverty and unemployment, community groups are providing free groceries and meals to thousands every day.

Hamilton County braces for anticipated wave of evictions post moratorium
https://fox59.com/news/hamilton-county-braces-for-anticipated-wave-of-evictions-post-moratorium/

Indiana’s wealthiest county will not escape the impending housing crisis after the federal halt on evictions for nonpayment lifts. Under the federal order, renters cannot be evicted for not paying their rent until after March 31.

Judge upholds Seattle eviction regulations, rebuffing landlords’ lawsuit
https://www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/judge-upholds-seattle-eviction-regulations-after-landlord-lawsuit/

A judge on Wednesday rejected a landlord group’s challenge to three Seattle laws meant to protect renters from eviction once the pandemic moratorium expires.

For Black Families, Evictions Are Still At A Crisis Point — Despite Moratorium
https://www.npr.org/2021/02/24/970190910/for-black-families-evictions-are-still-at-a-crisis-point-despite-moratorium

It's a simple fact. Black and brown families are more likely to be evicted than white ones. There are many reasons for this, but the pandemic has made matters worse and could widen the gap for years to come.

Pittsburgh City Council Preliminarily Passes Bill Banning Evictions During Pandemic
https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2021/02/24/pittsburgh-city-council-eviction-ban/

“Definitely during a pandemic, the last place you want to have anybody is living in the street,” said Mayor Bill Peduto.

The Eviction Moratorium Pause Ends Friday. Here’s What You Need to Do
https://www.thecity.nyc/2021/2/24/22299167/new-york-eviction-moratorium-pause-ends-feb-26

When the state Legislature passed the Emergency Eviction Act at the end of last year, nearly all eviction proceedings were paused for 60 days. That pause ends on Friday, Feb. 26.

Andy Beshear put a temporary halt to evictions. Never again, GOP senators pledge.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article249478465.html

A handful of Republican state senators, including a couple of landlords, are sponsoring a bill to protect the right of Kentucky landlords to evict their tenants in future pandemics or other emergencies.
Simultaneously, a bill advancing through the House would strip Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration of its authority to temporarily suspend utility service disconnections to Kentucky homes and waive late fees during emergencies.

Stay put: Jason Pizzo bill would automatically halt evictions during a state of emergency
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/406700-pizzo-evictions-emergency

Those protections would also hold for 15 days after the emergency ends.
Democratic Sen. Jason Pizzo is pushing a proposal to automatically ensure individuals cannot lose housing during a state of emergency.

And from my stomping ground area:
Lakewood City Council considers expansion of renters’ rights regarding evictions during a pandemic
https://www.cleveland.com/community/2021/02/lakewood-city-council-considering-expansion-of-renters-rights-regarding-evictions-during-a-pandemic.html

LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- City Council President Dan O’Malley last week introduced a Pay to Stay ordinance that, if passed, will expand rental rights during the pandemic.

[Tom_Mazanec]

Advance Longmont Economic Summit: Recession is in rear view for some workers, economist says
https://www.dailycamera.com/2021/02/25/advance-longmont-economic-summit-recession-is-in-rear-view-for-some-workers-economist-says/

It may not be evident yet, but Colorado, Boulder County and Longmont are already starting to see the effects of an economic recovery.
“You’re going to start feeling like we’re in a recovery by the middle of the year,” Patty Silverstein, president and chief economist for Development Research Partners, told attendees Thursday morning at the annual Advance Longmont Economic Summit.
In fact, “for people in the higher-wage sectors, their recession is over,” she said.

Funny how that works out for the "higher-wage sectors".

Recession takes hold in Europe as pandemic is on the rise in some regions
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/recession-takes-hold-in-europe-as-pandemic-is-on-the-rise-in-some-regions-11614259184

Calls for EU leaders to agree on a new round of massive fiscal stimulus, on the model of the U.S., are likely to remain ignored this week

Federal judge rules eviction moratorium is unconstitutional
https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/25/politics/judge-evictions-moratorium-unconstitutional/index.html

A federal judge in Texas on Thursday ruled that the federal moratorium on evictions is unconstitutional, according to court documents.
US District Judge John Barker, who was appointed by then-President Donald Trump to the court in the Eastern District of Texas, stopped short of issuing a preliminary injunction, but said he expected the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to respect his ruling and withdraw the moratorium.

and
Judge rules CDC eviction moratorium unconstitutional
https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/540617-judge-rules-cdc-eviction-moratorium-unconstitutional

In a 21-page ruling, U.S. District Judge John Barker sided with a group of landlords and property managers who alleged in a lawsuit that the CDC's eviction moratorium exceeded the federal government's constitutional authority.

Hawaii Lawmakers Mull Mediation To Prevent Mass Evictions After Moratorium Lifted
https://www.civilbeat.org/2021/02/hawaii-lawmakers-mull-mediation-to-prevent-mass-evictions-after-moratorium-lifted/

A bill would require landlords to enter mediation upon a tenant’s request, but some advocates say the measure doesn’t do enough to protect renters at risk of eviction.

Houston-Area Judges Are Evicting Renters Who Could Be Protected Under Federal Order
https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/houston-area-judges-are-evicting-renters-who-could-be-protected-under-federal-order/

More than 13,000 evictions have been filed since a CDC moratorium was issued, and more than 24,000 evictions have been filed in the Houston area since the start of the pandemic.

Pittsburgh looks to ban evictions during pandemic
https://www.radio.com/kdkaradio/news/local/pittsburgh-looks-to-ban-evictions-during-pandemic

Pittsburgh City Council is moving ahead with a bill to ban evictions, in most cases, during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
It preliminary approved the bill Wednesday proposed by Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto.
He said they've been checking closely will legal resources to make sure the bill is legally sound.

Despite pandemic, no renter should struggle to pay the landlord
https://kslnewsradio.com/1943793/despite-pandemic-no-renter-should-struggle-to-pay-the-landlord/

If you are worried you will be evicted from your home because you can’t make rent during the pandemic, reach out to your landlord and ask for help, the Utah Apartment Association advised.

[Tom_Mazanec]

The wave of covid bankruptcies has begun
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/the-wave-of-covid-bankruptcies-has-begun/ar-BB1e2NdQ

Nearly a year since coronavirus-related shutdowns began affecting large swaths of the American economy, more businesses are filing for bankruptcy as Chapter 11 filings were up nearly 20 percent in 2020 compared with the previous year, court records show.

India's economy exits from recession, recovery seen gathering pace
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-economy-gdp/indias-economy-exits-from-recession-recovery-seen-gathering-pace-idUSKBN2AQ1TX?il=0

India’s economy returned to growth in the three months to December and the recovery is expected to gather pace as consumers and investors shake off the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, economists said.

Covid-19: Ministers urged to ban 'reckless' evictions over rent arrears
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-56209530

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick is being urged to ban "reckless" evictions of people in long term rent arrears in England as a result of the pandemic.

Miami-Dade resumes pre-pandemic evictions after unannounced February break
https://therealdeal.com/miami/2021/02/26/miami-dade-resumes-pre-pandemic-evictions-after-unannounced-february-break/

Policy had halted pre-pandemic evictions for about a month, mayor’s office confirmed

Evictions continue in Houston as new measures aim to stem tide
https://communityimpact.com/houston/heights-river-oaks-montrose/housing-real-estate/2021/02/26/evictions-continue-in-houston-as-new-measures-aim-to-stem-tide/

Over 32,000 eviction cases were filed in Harris County courts in 2020, according to analytics firm January Advisors. Housing advocates cite the number of filings as evidence that some pandemic-related interventions designed by local officials so far have fallen short or come too late for many renters.

On first day of lifted eviction stay, Albany schedules over 200 hearings
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/On-first-day-of-lifted-eviction-stay-Albany-15982793.php
Behind paywall

Federal eviction moratorium ends March 31, 2021
https://www.wwlp.com/news/health/coronavirus-local-impact/federal-eviction-moratorium-ends-march-31-2021/

A state moratorium on evictions ended on October 17, 2020. But, a federal eviction moratorium under the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) Order prohibits landlords from evicting such tenants for non-payment of rent from Sept. 4, 2020 to March 31, 2021.

LOCAL LANDLORDS DEMAND ACTION ON EVICTION BAN
https://www.wktv.com/content/news/Local-landlords-demand-action-on-eviction-ban-573879941.html

Since March of last year, landlords have been unable to take legal action on tenants who don't pay rent. On Friday, the Utica Rome Landlords Association held protests around Oneida County demanding the state allow landlords to take their tenants to court to have them prove their case.

[Tom_Mazanec]

Tell you what...there is so much reaction to that Texas judge's ruling on the evuction moratorium that I will just let you select your poison:
https://news.google.com/stories/CAAqOQgKIjNDQklTSURvSmMzUnZjbmt0TXpZd1NoTUtFUWplNm8tSGtvQU1FZGkwLTd0NDhLQXVLQUFQAQ?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen

Under Pressure, Postmaster General Calls For Changes To Mail Delivery
https://www.npr.org/2021/02/24/970504457/postmaster-general-dejoy-faces-questioning-about-mail-delays

If your mail has not been showing up some days or you're getting second notices on the bills you thought you'd paid, you're not alone. The U.S. Postal Service has been beset by continuing delays in delivering the mail.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy apologized for those delays in testimony before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday but warned that the postal system is "in a death spiral" and needs legislation to help restore it to financial stability.

Supply Chain Issues Persist for Manufacturers in Covid World
https://www.natlawreview.com/article/supply-chain-issues-persist-manufacturers-covid-world

“U.S. manufacturers aced the shutdown of their factories and warehouses last spring in response to Covid-19. They’re botching the recovery.

“After carrying out an orderly retreat from assembly lines as the pandemic arrived in the U.S., many manufacturers pulled out the playbook they followed in past recessions, cutting costs and preserving cash. That left them unprepared for the sharp rebound in consumer demand that began just weeks later and never let up.”

Drug supply chain issues aren't going away, report says
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/02/drug-supply-chain-issues-arent-going-away-report-says

In a new American Society of Health-system Pharmacists (ASHP) report, 92% of its "2021 Pharmacy Forecast" panelists say global issues like trade restrictions, pandemics like COVID-19, or climate change will increase the potential for more drug shortages, and almost 90% say a major technology failure or breach could cause widespread disruptions in the delivery of US healthcare supplies.

COVID-19 causing supply issues in Knoxville for people wanting curbside recycling bins
https://www.wbir.com/article/tech/science/environment/covid-19-causing-supply-issues-in-knoxville-for-people-wanting-curbside-recycling-bins/51-47bf35b3-d9e6-4ead-89e9-331ef937fe43

The company responsible for supplying the bins to the city said it has had supply chain issues since the pandemic hit.

[kassy]

Interesting mess the US mail is in. As the article shows it is a case of neglected maintenance more so then Covid but of course it is a bigger problem with the current situation.

[Tom_Mazanec]

In Richmond, VA, eviction burden weighs heavier on Black and Brown residents
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/in-richmond-va-eviction-burden-weighs-heavier-on-black-and-brown-residents

The federal ban on evictions, extended by President Biden through March, is a much-needed, yet only temporary pause on a looming crisis impacting hundreds of thousands of American families. Retro Report, a non-profit news organization, reports from Richmond, VA, which has one of the highest eviction rates in the nation, on how Confederate history and race are the biggest factors in determining which residents are at a higher risk of being evicted.

"Petty" evictions on the rise in Pima County
https://www.kgun9.com/rebound/petty-evictions-on-the-rise-in-pima-county

“I think the patience is wearing thin on both sides,” said Pima County Constable Kristen Randall.
Randall is seeing a rise in eviction loopholes, which she calls “petty” evictions.
We've reported some landlords are circumventing the CDC order by filing eviction complaints alleging breaches in rental agreements.
“The petty ones is like they had a dog, they're not supposed to have a dog, an unauthorized guest, an inoperable car in the yard and I've seen things like the toilet is clogged, a fire detector wasn't installed properly,” she described.
Those rental "breach" filings are skyrocketing, she said, from about 10 a month to 50.

Outreach programs prepare for when federal moratorium on evictions could end
https://www.fox35orlando.com/video/905876

Many organizations are preparing for when the federal moratorium on evictions will end. FOX 35's Samantha Sosa looks into the story.

Halt on evictions ends in 30 days, how you can help families
https://www.wsoctv.com/community/family-focus/halt-evictions-ends-30-days-how-you-can-help-families/7ZPG2QM5EFDB7PAGGCBPQIW6X4/

Renters could face months of back rent payments

NWA residents still losing homes despite eviction moratorium
https://www.nwahomepage.com/news/nwa-residents-still-losing-homes-despite-eviction-moratorium/

Despite the CDC extending the eviction moratorium to March 31st, some people in northwest Arkansas are still facing evictions.
“They called us last Monday and said we had up until 10:00 that day to pay rent or we were gonna get evicted,” said Hadlee Golden. “It’s not fair to people in our situation or people in general, because there’s people in worse situations than we’re in.”

Eviction orders being issued despite UK government Covid pledge
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/feb/28/eviction-orders-being-issued-despite-uk-government-covid-pledge

Tenants in rent arrears are facing eviction after Covid tenancy rules were quietly changed

San Anselmo weighs renter protections during pandemic
https://www.marinij.com/2021/02/28/san-anselmo-weighs-renter-protections-during-pandemic/

While the state and Marin County have both banned the eviction of tenants who can’t pay rent because of pandemic-related financial hardships through the end of June, Vice Mayor Alexis Fineman said those regulations don’t go far enough.
Fineman said landlords in some cases work around those rules by giving alternate reasons for evicting tenants who aren’t paying rent. She said a local eviction ban could help close “gaps” in the state and county regulations.

8 ways the COVID-19 recession will change your life
https://www.intheblack.com/articles/2021/03/01/covid19-recession-change-your-life

In uncertain times, when there is a lull in activity, businesses that use the opportunity to review and reset their priorities stand a strong chance of making it through challenges.
A recession presents a chance to reset an economy if a government acts decisively in key areas such as stimulus packages, skilled migration and increased productivity through smart investments.
Economists anticipate prolonged economic uncertainty, but are confident recovery will certainly be led by technology-intensive jobs and industries.

Food Prices Are Soaring Faster Than Inflation and Incomes
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-01/inflation-2021-malnutrition-and-hunger-fears-rise-as-food-prices-soar-globally

As the Covid-19 pandemic wreaks havoc on economic growth, concerns about hunger and malnutrition are rising around the world.

[Tom_Mazanec]

Food Prices Are Soaring Faster Than Inflation and Incomes
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-01/inflation-2021-malnutrition-and-hunger-fears-rise-as-food-prices-soar-globally

As the Covid-19 pandemic wreaks havoc on economic growth, concerns about hunger and malnutrition are rising around the world.

Fraser Institute News Release: COVID-19 recession exacerbates need to reform Employment Insurance in Canada
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/03/02/2184962/0/en/Fraser-Institute-News-Release-COVID-19-recession-exacerbates-need-to-reform-Employment-Insurance-in-Canada.html

“The federal government has acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the need for a ‘21st century’ employment insurance system, but tweaks to the status quo likely won’t be sufficient to address the underlying problems of Canada’s inefficient system,” said Jake Fuss, a senior economist at the Fraser Institute and co-author of Reforming Employment Insurance for the 21st Century.

New research finds evictions during pregnancy are tied to adverse birth outcomes
https://www.statnews.com/2021/03/01/pregnancy-evictions-birth-outcomes/

Babies born to people evicted during pregnancy are more likely to have lower birth weights and be born earlier or prematurely than those whose parents were evicted at other times, according to new research.

Look, I have posted dozens of articles on the suffering of renters. I could post dozens more (and probably will). But here is the rest of the story:
'Biggest trial of my life': Landlord says eviction moratorium has drained her savings
https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2021/02/27/landlord-eviction-moratorium-coronavirus-pandemic-chen-vpx.cnn

CNN's Natasha Chen looks at how the Covid-19 eviction moratorium has affected small-scale investors and landlords who have unpaid mortgages to face as tenants are unable to pay their rent.

[Tom_Mazanec]

EU May Face Recession As Employment, Retail Numbers Stay Weakhttps://www.pymnts.com/news/international/europe/2021/european-union-may-face-recession-employment-retail-numbers-stay-weak/

The eurozone, facing high unemployment rates in an attempt to keep the pandemic contained, has economists convinced a double-dip economic recession is coming, the Financial Times (FT) reported

Euro zone in double-dip recession but optimism soared in Feb -PMI
https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/euro-zone-in-double-dip-recession-but-optimism-soared-in-feb-pmi

The euro zone economy is almost certainly in a double-dip recession as pandemic-linked lockdowns continue to hammer the services industry, a survey showed on Wednesday, but hopes for a wider vaccine rollout drove optimism to a three-year peak.

Weak jobs and retail data point to double-dip eurozone recession
https://www.ft.com/content/ee5fb423-6232-49b0-a39a-a7b2e79333df

Spanish unemployment hits 4m for first time in 5 years while German shoppers scale back

State lawmakers look to address COVID-19's female recession, longstanding disparities
https://www.pinejournal.com/news/government-and-politics/6913363-State-lawmakers-look-to-address-COVID-19s-female-recession-longstanding-disparities

Lawmakers and community members say that women have faced barriers in the workforce long before COVID-19 took root in Minnesota, but the pandemic presents an opportunity to address them.

Euro zone in double-dip recession but optimism soared in February: PMI
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eurozone-economy-pmi/euro-zone-in-double-dip-recession-but-optimism-soared-in-february-pmi-idUSKBN2AV0U2

“Hopes of a successful rollout of vaccines and a noticeable dialling back of restrictions related to COVID-19 prevention helped to drive business confidence up to its highest level for three years,” Williamson said.

What the recovery from the Great Recession reveals about post-pandemic work and cities
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2021/03/02/what-the-recovery-from-the-great-recession-reveals-about-post-pandemic-work-and-cities/

Since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, there has been ongoing debate about the future of cities in a post-pandemic world, particularly about so-called “superstar” cities. Some economists and journalists paint gloomy pictures, predicting that many service jobs will not survive this economic downturn, while others remain optimistic about cities’ role in a post-pandemic economic recovery.

Australia enjoys recovery like no other
https://au.news.yahoo.com/economic-bounce-recession-continue-163022234.html

The Australian economy has enjoyed its strongest performance in history over the past six months as it recovers from last year's recession.

Just a reminder...when an economist says a recession is over, he does not mean the economy has recovered...he means it has stopped deteriorating. If 2019 was at 20 units, 2020 was at 10 units and 2021 is at 12 units, the recession is "over".

[Tom_Mazanec]

Loophole in eviction moratorium lets landlords evict tenants
https://www.3newsnow.com/news/coronavirus/omaha-landlord-exploits-loophole-in-cdc-eviction-moratorium

Attorney says eviction filings have recently increased throughout the pandemic

Justice Department Appeals Ban on CDC Evictions Moratorium
https://www.fool.com/millionacres/real-estate-investing/articles/justice-department-appeals-ban-on-cdc-evictions-moratorium/

Justice says the ban, even if kosher, would be limited -- and it’s not the only one

Evictions in Florida are reaching pre-pandemic levels: Is the state heading toward a crisis?
https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/florida-evictions-reaching-pre-pandemic-levels/67-4eda67ee-615e-4312-aab3-e210b0175736

Despite a federal moratorium in place, thousands of Floridians are still receiving notices to leave their homes.

Researchers at ASU work to predict impacts of post-moratorium evictions
https://www.statepress.com/article/2021/03/sppolitics-asu-researchers-works-with-partners-to-find-post-moratorium-housing-solutions

The Knowledge Exchange for Resilience is working with the city of Tempe among others

Seattle and all of Washington must extend the eviction moratorium
https://crosscut.com/opinion/2021/03/seattle-and-all-washington-must-extend-eviction-moratorium

Residential tenants aren’t the only ones who need it. Small businesses and nonprofits do, too.

[Tom_Mazanec]

Corporate America's earnings recession is over
https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/04/investing/premarket-stocks-trading/index.html

The vast majority of companies in the S&P 500 have reported results from the last three months of 2020, and Wall Street is calling it: The earnings recession has come to an end.

Remember, by economist rules, the Great Depression ended in 1933.

Rwanda's economy in recession [Business Africa]
https://www.africanews.com/2021/03/04/rwanda-s-economy-in-recession-business-africa/

Rwanda’s economy is in a recession. Restrictions imposed to curb the coronavirus is piling pressure on the economy. Thousands face unemployment and there’s risk of more Rwandans falling into poverty. That’s why analysts are urging the government to take additional measures to spur growth in this East African nation. Retail trade, leisure, hospitality and conference tourism are key sectors hard hit.

Nepal witnessed economic recession but quick recovery likely, economists say
https://kathmandupost.com/national/2021/03/05/nepal-witnessed-economic-recession-but-quick-recovery-likely-economists-say

There was negative growth in the last quarter of 2019-20 and first quarter of 2020-21. In the final analysis year-on-year growth in the last fiscal year was -1.99 percent.

Low-paid women have been hurt most by the recession, and they risk being left behind by the recovery
https://www.saltwire.com/business/perspectives-on-business/low-paid-women-have-been-hurt-most-by-the-recession-and-they-risk-being-left-behind-by-the-recovery-559898/

Royal Bank of Canada economists Dawn Desjardins and Carrie Freestone dug into Statistics Canada’s latest hiring data and found that almost 100,000 women have left the labour force since February, compared with only 10,000 men.

How the Pandemic Recession Targets Black and Hispanic-Owned Small Businesses
https://www.yesmagazine.org/economy/2021/03/04/pandemic-black-hispanic-small-business/

But as bad as the overall scene is, for minority-owned businesses the picture is even bleaker. A survey released on Jan. 27 by advocacy group Small Business Majority found that almost 1 in 5 Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs expected to permanently close their business over the next three months—a rate higher than for White business owners. It comes on the back of a report by the Federal Reserve of Cleveland that suggested that the impact of the coronavirus could be more than two times larger for Black- and Hispanic-owned businesses than for White-owned enterprises.

Low-wage workers bearing the brunt of the COVID recession
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-recession-60-minutes-2021-03-04/

Scott Pelley goes to Ohio and reports on the people who have lost their income and homes. See the story, Sunday on 60 Minutes.

Even during a pandemic, Biden can’t declare a hold on home evictions
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2021/3/4/22313591/eviction-moratorium-covid-joe-biden-jacob-sullum

A national ban on evictions, as well as Arizona’s restrictions on businesses, are based on dubious constitutional authority.

The Washington Post begs to differ, but it is behind a paywall:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/03/01/evictions-court-decision-constitution-commerce/

[Tom_Mazanec]

Legislation would automatically seal records for pandemic-related evictions
https://thisisreno.com/2021/03/legislation-would-automatically-seal-records-for-pandemic-related-evictions/

“The people we are serving show up to the courthouse with their suitcases because they just don’t know where they are going next,” said Bailey Bortolin, the statewide advocacy, outreach and policy director for the Nevada Coalition of Legal Service Providers.
On Thursday, Bortolin explained to lawmakers about the emotional turmoil during the COVID-19 pandemic of watching clients, many victims of historic unemployment rates, struggling to remain housed.
Despite federal and statewide moratoriums, rental assistance dollars and mediation programs, she said thousands of people have been evicted in Nevada.

Eviction Moratorium - Landlords Remain Locked Out (for now)
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/eviction-moratorium-landlords-remain-9901673/

The CDC’s eviction moratorium originally had a “sunset” date of January 31, but was extended via Executive Order from President Biden, and is now set to expire on March 31, 2021.  With COVID infection rates down across the country, it is unlikely the moratorium will be extended again.  In fact, there’s rumblings of its more imminent demise.

Rep. Greg Stanton introduces bill to help keep renters' evictions during COVID-19 off credit records
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2021/03/05/stanton-bill-may-help-keep-renters-covid-19-evictions-off-credit-records/4584884001/
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/03/05/landlord-lawsuit-court-pittsburgh-eviction-moratorium-city-council/stories/202103050143

H.R. 1594, the COVID-19 Eviction Consumer Report Fairness Act, would require all credit reporting groups to exclude from consumer credit reports evictions, any information related to evictions, or any proceedings seeking evictions, between March 13, 2020, until 120 days after President Joe Biden terminates the national emergency.

Landlord organization takes Pittsburgh to court over eviction moratorium
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2021/03/05/landlord-lawsuit-court-pittsburgh-eviction-moratorium-city-council/stories/202103050143

A landlord organization has filed a lawsuit against Pittsburgh City Council over its passage of an eviction moratorium amid the COVID-19 pandemic before it has been signed into law.
The Landlord Services Bureau, based in North Huntingdon, claims in the suit that the ordinance passed Tuesday exceeds the powers granted to the city by state law.

Pritzker extends Illinois moratorium on evictions
https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/pritzker-extends-illinois-moratorium-on-evictions/

Renters and homeowners who are financially struggling during the pandemic will see Illinois eviction moratorium extended again.
It would have expired on Saturday, but Gov. JB Pritzker says he’s looking at the assistance package that’s being debated on Capitol Hill as part of the COVID-19 relief bill.

Gov. Newsom Signs Executive Order To Stop Pandemic Evictions Through June
https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2021/03/04/newsom-executive-order-pandemic-eviction/

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on Thursday that extends authorization for local governments to halt evictions for commercial renters impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through June 30.
The order extends protections against price gouging for emergency supplies and medical supplies during the continuing coronavirus pandemic.

[Tom_Mazanec]

Women more likely to lose jobs and do more unpaid work during Covid recession, report finds
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/mar/07/women-more-likely-to-lose-jobs-and-do-more-unpaid-work-during-covid-recession-report-finds

Covid recession hit women hardest, but women also began the crisis on an uneven footing, the Grattan Institute reports

And in my home state...
Covid recession hit women hardest, but women also began the crisis on an uneven footing, the Grattan Institute reports

As state leaders balance complex funding needs in the state’s next two-year budget, hunger-fighting groups argued there’s nothing more basic than the need for food.
Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, said roughly a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, hunger is more widespread than it’s been in decades.

[Tom_Mazanec]

Inside the COVID-19 recession, one of the most unequal in modern history
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-pandemic-recession-low-wage-workers-60-minutes-2021-03-07/

While many middle and high-income workers are back at work, the country's low-wage workers are still suffering from a recession that has annihilated their jobs. Scott Pelley reports.

Flashpoint: Pink collar recession and impact on gender wage gap; 'Sanctuary Schools' campaign
https://www.radio.com/kywnewsradio/news/local/flashpoint-pink-collar-recession

More than two million women have left the workforce since the pandemic began with Black and brown women hit hardest by the economic crisis. Before the COVID-19 crisis, women made up majority of the work force and nearly three quarters of service industries that have suffered most due to closures.

Morgan Stanley says US economy is on fire, the recession ... 'its over'
https://www.forexlive.com/news/!/morgan-stanley-says-us-economy-is-on-fire-the-recession-its-over-20210307

Morgan Stanley cite:
the current speed of the vaccination rollout
new fiscal stimulus still to come (check this out: US Senate passes $1.9 trillion stimulus bill)
imminent spring weather
And say:
it's difficult not to imagine an economy that's on fire later this year
and long story short is the recession is effectively over
---
Bond markets have been saying this for weeks, yep.

This kind of thing was said every year of the Great Depression.

What happens once the ban on foreclosures, evictions end?
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/bop/2021/03/08/foreclosures-evictions-COVID-19-forbearance-Pittsburgh-housing-counselors/stories/202103070014

Housing counselors still don't know but they're preparing for a surge.

[Tom_Mazanec]

Bank of France's Villeroy: Economic recession is behind us
https://www.forexlive.com/centralbank/!/bank-of-frances-villeroy-economic-recession-is-behind-us-20210309

This comes as the central bank estimates that the French economy will avoid a double-dip recession with steadier activity leading to "slight growth" in Q1.

And on the other hand (and hemisphere):
'The 2021 recession will be long and lingering': Economist
https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/2021-recession-long-lingering-230143456.html

As many economists and politicians celebrated the strong-ish back-to-back quarterly increases in GDP in the second half of 2020 as the economy started its climb from the COVID-19 recession, a deeper dig into the data revealed some worrying trends that confirm grim economic times for many Australians.
Things are not back to good, even though the economy has been a little better (less worse) than feared in the middle of 2020.

‘The Recession Is Effectively Over’: Analysts Are Expecting ‘Rip-Roaring’ Growth This Year, But Hurdles Remain
https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahhansen/2021/03/08/the-recession-is-effectively-over-analysts-are-expecting-rip-roaring-growth-this-year-but-hurdles-remain/

Falling coronavirus cases and hospitalizations and the prospect of another $1.9 trillion in fiscal stimulus led Morgan Stanley equity strategist Michael Wilson to declare that “the recession is effectively over” in a research note this weekend, but risks still remain.

Amid a pandemic and a recession, Americans go on a near-record homebuying spree
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/03/08/amid-a-pandemic-and-a-recession-americans-go-on-a-near-record-homebuying-spree/

The American dream of homeownership has not been dampened by the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn it has caused.
In the fourth quarter of 2020 there were an estimated 82.8 million owner-occupied households in the United States, according to recently released Census Bureau data. The number of homeowners increased by an estimated 2.1 million over the prior year. Based on fourth-quarter nonseasonally adjusted data, this matches the largest prior net increase in homeowners that occurred during the housing boom between 2003 and 2004 (2.1 million).

Covid-19 triggers female recession – leading macroeconomic influencers
https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/comment/covid-female-recession-shecession/

Economists believe that more women have dropped out of the labour market to school their children, in comparison to men in the US. Recent studies suggest that the impact has been worse for mothers with children.

BoE boss says Covid recession will have fewer long-term effects than previous UK downturns
https://www.cityam.com/boe-boss-says-covid-recession-will-have-fewer-long-term-effects-than-previous-uk-downturns/

The Covid crisis will not have as many long-term economic effects in the UK as previous recessions, according to Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey.
Bailey today said his diagnosis of the UK’s economic recovery prospects was “positive, but with large doses of cautionary realism”.

Inside the COVID-19 recession, one of the most unequal in modern history
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-pandemic-recession-low-wage-workers-60-minutes-2021-03-07/

While many middle and high-income workers are back at work, the country's low-wage workers are still suffering from a recession that has annihilated their jobs. Scott Pelley reports.

[Shared Humanity]

I could be wrong but what is missing on the economic impact of COVID is the long term, if not nearly permanent, impact on certain sectors of the economy. The recession may be over but the recovery is going to be very uneven.

Last summer, I watched an interview of an economist. He was asked what were the biggest barriers to a recovering economy. He did not hesitate in answering. He saw the biggest risk as a permanent shift in consumer behavior. The COVID recession will only accelerate trends that were already impacting the U.S. economy. The shift from brick and mortar retail to online is going to decimate the retail industry which is already suffering. The theater industry will continue to shrink as more and more Americans turn to online streaming of their favorite shows and movies. Dining out has been under assault as more and more people order in. Not sure what it is like in other cities but in Chicago commercial tenants are walking away from their leases of downtown properties.

[sidd]

Re: commercial tenants are walking away from their leases of downtown properties

i"m seeing that in ohio, indiana and PA as well. Commercial rents are thru the floor and dropping.

sidd

[oren]

Quite right, SH, and add a much increased trend of working from home, which should remain elevated when the pandemic is over. For some employees and some employers this will become the new normal, having been tested during the lockdowns. This will cause lower demand for office space, change traffic patterns (car and mass transit), and change retail expenditures from downtown areas to other areas closer to residential locations.

[Tom_Mazanec]

Latest onthat federal judge:
Federal Judge Strikes Down CDC’s COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/federal-judge-strikes-down-cdc-s-covid-6940453/

While the Order was criticized at the time of enactment as being vulnerable to legal challenges due to its broad reach and structure, the Department of Justice successfully defended the initial rounds of legal challenges. On February 25, however, Judge J. Campbell Barker of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas found the Order to be unconstitutional. The court held that a nationwide eviction moratorium is not under Congress’ limited powers of Article I to pass laws necessary and proper to regulate interstate commerce. The court found that the federal government had never previously invoked such powers, even during the Spanish flu pandemic and the Great Depression, and that in its arguments, the government did not claim that the COVID-19 pandemic led to any specific grant of constitutional power. Instead, the Court held, the case should be decided on whether Congress, delegating power to a federal agency, has the legislative powers under the Commerce Clause to temporarily suspend tenant evictions on a nationwide basis.

and
Texas Federal District Court Overturns CDC Eviction Moratorium
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/texas-federal-district-court-overturns-3398114/

Although the Department of Justice has filed a notice of appeal, this case may mark a turning point for landlords who have continued to pay taxes and other costs associated with their properties for the past year. While the nationwide reach of this decision remains to be seen, we can expect to see landlords citing to this Texas case in eviction filings across the country.

also
United States: COVID-19 Update: Federal Eviction Moratorium Struck Down
https://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/government-measures/1044332/covid-19-update-federal-eviction-moratorium-struck-down

While it is possible that this decision will be appealed, there are a few reasons it might not.  First, the moratorium at issue expires March 31, 2021 so an appeal would mostly likely be moot unless the Order is further extended.  Second, the Texas Court's reasoning was very detailed and explicitly stated that the economic underpinnings required pursuant to the Commerce Clause were either tenuous or non-existent, making any appeal difficult.  Finally, with the rollout of the various vaccines, the need for this moratorium may not be as exigent as when initially enacted.  We will continue to keep you apprised of further developments, if any, of this case.

Minnesota braces for glut of evictions once pandemic ban ends
https://www.twincities.com/2021/03/08/minnesota-prepares-for-glut-of-evictions-once-pandemic-ban-ends/

A Senate housing committee passed an “off-ramp” bill last week. It would provide a 60-day phase out period where landlords would have to provide notices to tenants before filing evictions. That bill will be heard in a second Senate committee today.

What happens once the ban on foreclosures, evictions ends?
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/bop/2021/03/08/foreclosures-evictions-COVID-19-forbearance-Pittsburgh-housing-counselors/stories/202103070014

Housing counselors still don't know but they're preparing for a surge.

Evictions in Florida are reaching pre-pandemic levels: Is the state heading toward a crisis?
https://www.floridatrend.com/article/30843/evictions-in-florida-are-reaching-pre-pandemic-levels-is-the-state-heading-toward-a-crisis

On any given day, homelessness is a slippery slope for thousands of Floridians, with one setback starting a snowball effect. But, amidst a pandemic, that slippery slope becomes a steep drop, and experts believe the current state of evictions in Florida could send hundreds-of-thousands of renters over the edge. A recent study found that of the nearly 3 million Floridians who are renting, more than 20 percent are behind on payments and could possibly be evicted.

State works on housing aid as CDC eviction moratorium set to expire
https://www.indexjournal.com/news/state-works-on-housing-aid-as-cdc-eviction-moratorium-set-to-expire/article_e300acf8-448e-51a8-b31c-a6fa14233c1a.html

“I haven’t heard any updates about extending the moratorium, so we’re expecting it to expire at the end of the month,” said Mark Fessler, an attorney working with S.C. Legal Services. “From a legal point of view, once the CDC moratorium expires there is no legal protection for renters and people affected by COVID.”

Civil right to counsel bill passes Senate in preparation for end of eviction moratorium
https://www.theolympian.com/news/politics-government/article249736778.html

With more than 134,000 Washington households behind on rent and Gov. Jay Inslee’s statewide eviction moratorium set to expire March 31, state legislators are racing to pass laws aimed at preventing a looming eviction crisis.

COVID-19 Recession Further Undercuts California Women’s Opportunities for Economic Security
https://yubanet.com/california/covid-19-recession-further-undercuts-california-womens-opportunities-for-economic-security/

Over half of women in California were living in households this past fall that lost employment income after mid-March 2020, reflecting the depth of job loss in California. Latinx and Black women have been far more likely to feel the economic effects of the recession. More than 6 in 10 Latinx and Black women were living in households that lost earnings during the pandemic. As of December 2020, the state still had 1.5 million fewer jobs than in February, the month before the COVID-19 recession began.

The coronavirus recession is almost over, Wall Street strategists say
https://www.businessinsider.com/economic-outlook-coronavirus-recession-nearly-over-stimulus-wall-street-strategists-2021-3

Wall Street strategists are increasingly optimistic that the pandemic is in its final phase.
JPMorgan said in February the crisis will "effectively end" in 40 to 70 days.
The "recession is effectively over," Morgan Stanley said Sunday.

[Rodius]

It may also be a time when people begin to leave cities to live in small to medium sized towns.

[Shared Humanity]

Quite right, SH, and add a much increased trend of working from home, which should remain elevated when the pandemic is over. For some employees and some employers this will become the new normal, having been tested during the lockdowns. This will cause lower demand for office space, change traffic patterns (car and mass transit), and change retail expenditures from downtown areas to other areas closer to residential locations.

This is going to be very disruptive and all of this shifting around will result in jobs lost until the shift is complete.

[Tom_Mazanec]

Why the COVID-19 pandemic left long-term scars on the global job market
https://chicago.suntimes.com/business/2021/3/10/22323671/covid-pandemic-global-job-market-scars-coronavirus

The coronavirus recession could mean that demand for people in such jobs as waiters, cashiers, front-desk clerks and ticket takers might never regain its previous highs.

Pink Collar Recession
https://www.news4jax.com/video/morning-show/2021/03/10/pink-collar-recession/

Holly Caplan, career and confidence coach, joins us to take a closer look at how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted professional woman, causing the "Pink Collar Recession."

Our Chicago: Town hall to examine 'shecession,' impact of pandemic recession on working women
https://abc7chicago.com/women-unemployment-pandemic-shecession-covid-abc7-town-hall/10401105/

According to a recent Federal Reserve article, women have faced higher unemployment rates than men during the pandemic, in part because COVID-19 has hit sectors with large percentages of female workers, particularly in the service industry. With schools closed and homes becoming the new classroom, approximately one-third of working mothers were considering taking a leave of absence in order to facilitate their children's educational needs. Some women faced dropping out of the workforce entirely or cutting back hours. With affordable childcare often out of reach, many women had to choose between working and taking care of their families at home.

Data released by Bulgaria reveal recession
https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1156757/data-released-by-bulgaria-reveal-recession/

Bulgaria’s gross domestic product declined by 4.2% year-on-year in 2020 in real terms, official data showed on Tuesday.

There are two sides to every story:
As health and government officials try to minimize the impact of Covid-19 on tenants by placing moratoriums on evictions, landlords feel they are being unfairly punished.
https://www.cbs46.com/news/moratoriums-on-evictions-help-tenants-but-landlords-feel-theyre-being-unfairly-punished/article_4a77d530-81e7-11eb-81f3-a77e5069b5d0.html

Over the past 11 years, Paxton Baety has built a business consisting of four properties he rents out.
“I got bills to pay,” said Baety.
But one of his tenants in Decatur hasn’t paid rent since last June.
“I filed an eviction on July 2nd, because the tenant decided she wasn’t moving because of Covid, and I couldn’t do anything to make her move,” Baety added.
He said she changed the locks and refuses to pay him.
“On top of losing rent, I’ve had to pay roughly another $6,000 in taxes and insurance for a house I’m paying for someone else to live in,” Baety said.

Dozens of groups sign onto letter pushing to extend Seattle's eviction moratorium through 2021
https://www.seattlepi.com/coronavirus/article/Dozens-of-groups-sign-onto-letter-pushing-to-16012805.php

Dozens of organizations are urging Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan to extend Seattle's eviction moratorium through the end of the year to prevent people from losing their homes during the coronavirus pandemic.

Legal Lens: Can a person be evicted during a pandemic for any reason?
https://fox2now.com/legal-lens/legal-lens-can-a-person-be-evicted-during-a-pandemic-for-any-reason/

“For example in the City of St. Louis, Judge Michael Sheltzer has passed an eviction moratorium that extends until April 5. However, that only applies to evictions for non- payments of rent. So, a person can be evicted for other reasons.”
Such reasons could be health or safety code violations, or anything places another person or tenant in danger.
“The flavor in St. Louis County is different,” Jackson said. “The moratorium or eviction extends indefinitely and it applies to not only those who can’t pay rent but can’t be evicted for any reason.”

And in my stomping grounds:
Federal judge in Cleveland rules the CDC exceeded its authority in issuing the eviction moratorium
https://www.cleveland.com/coronavirus/2021/03/federal-judge-in-cleveland-rules-the-cdc-exceeded-its-authority-in-issuing-the-eviction-moratorium.html

U.S. District Judge J. Philip Calabrese wrote in a 31-page order that the agency went beyond what the federal Public Health Service Act allows it to do. The ruling was hailed as a victory for landlords who have suffered financially during the pandemic.

[Bruce Steele]

Restaurants are starting to buy my pork again after a year without selling anything to them. Because there have been winners in the Covid inspired loose money stock market run,  high end restaurants will come out of the lockdowns just fine.
 The amazon model and PayPal combine to allow small scale producers a place in the larger markets they could never access with farmers markets and farm stands. I can get a truck to pick up product at ten in the morning from my driveway and with some confidence expect it to be delivered next day , still frozen, across the entire state of Calif.  That is a big market. Producers in other states can’t reach me because shipping costs skyrocket at about a thousand miles and further.
 It would be interesting to see some energy numbers on the next day delivery model. I know the farm stand wasn’t good because individuals in cars would each drive several miles out of town to reach me and farms tend to be outside of town in most places. Farmers markets require the farmers to drive hundreds of miles a week to hit the best paying markets so they too have drawbacks. Employees and or time away from the farm.  So no perfect system ,energy wise , but quantifying the energy outputs would be interesting on the four ways to move produce. Big ag with warehouses and distribution networks are likely the most efficient because of scale but they allow zero connections with the producers themselves which ,if you care where your food comes from , is important also.
 Covid has changed how people buy their food , Community Supported Agriculture, CSA’s have expanded greatly and online shipping direct from the farm has increased also. With some local high end restaurants coming back things should be good until the government largess bleeds out of the system and we have to pay for the hangover.

[harpy]

City dwellers are generally completely naive about the remotest level of responsibility that is required living outside of luxury apartments, and they will quickly realize that their poor skillsets and lack of physical working ability, is not acceptable.

It's sort of like releasing a domesticated dog into a national forest.  The strongest, and smartest can survive, but the majority will die within a matter of days.

[Tom_Mazanec]

So much on that Cleveland judge's ruling that it's a buffet:
https://news.google.com/stories/CAAqOQgKIjNDQklTSURvSmMzUnZjbmt0TXpZd1NoTUtFUWlHNXVpU2tvQU1FUU9ELWt3dEloWnNLQUFQAQ?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen

but for some good news:
Russia recovers from economic recession
https://www.plenglish.com/index.php?o=rn&id=65283&SEO=russia-recovers-from-economic-recession

Timely measures allowed Russia to overcome the recession and achieve economic recovery, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed at the beginning of a meeting to encourage investments in the country on Thursday.
'Thanks to timely and calculated measures to support industries and companies, we have generally managed to overcome the slowdown in the economy and reach its recovery,' the head of state assured.
According to Putin, this achievement, reported in the midst of the global crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, is reflected in the dynamics of domestic demand and the gradual decrease in the unemployment rate.
He recalled that during the crisis, Russian authorities decided to support work teams, companies, businesses and all those who kept working and invested in development, TASS news agency reported.
The president expressed his conviction that Russia managed to reduce the risk of investing in its economy.
'Thanks to a focused economic policy, we succeeded in avoiding the failure of investment activity. The risks of investing in the Russian economy have seriously decreased,' he stressed.
The president warned that the decline in Russia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in late 2020 was 3.1 percent, so, he said, 'recession was smaller than in many other countries of the world.'

Note: I have had so much trouble with that URL (gateway timeouts, etc.) that I made an exception to my quote policies and just quoted the whole thing for you.

[Tom_Mazanec]

Savannah seeing rebound in employment, local economy following COVID pandemic recession
https://www.savannahnow.com/story/business/2021/03/12/savannah-ga-employment-economy-rebound-covid-recession/4649923001/

A strong fourth quarter rebound in area employment is one of several positive signs of economic recovery from the pandemic-induced recession, according to the latest issue of the Coastal Empire Economic Monitor.

Tech council dives into ‘first female recession’ and its impact on women workers
https://www.deseret.com/utah/2021/3/12/22319778/tech-council-dives-into-first-female-recession-and-its-impact-on-women-workers

While the coronavirus pandemic has had dramatic impacts on everyone, women in the technology sector have borne the brunt of the job losses and added family-related responsibilities and find themselves in a recession that has set them back from hard-fought gains in workplace equity, national reports have shown.

Death, inequality, recession: The COVID-19 mirror
https://www.dailysabah.com/opinion/columns/death-inequality-recession-the-covid-19-mirror

Most countries around the world dipped into a recession in 2020. Despite large stimulus packages, it is not clear how long full economic recovery will take.

Utah Women: How can we come back from COVID-19's pink recession?
https://www.ksl.com/article/50124335/utah-women-how-can-we-come-back-from-covid-19s-pink-recession

"The pink recession just means that it's so much more exaggerated with women; women have taken really a disproportionate hit," explained Susan Madsen, founder and director of the Utah Women and Leadership Project.
With women leaving the workforce in such great numbers, many are worried about what the future holds if they never come back, including Scribner. Data shows that women's participation in the workforce is at an all-time low in recent years, mirroring figures last seen in the 1980s.

The Covid-19 Recession and Prospects for Recovery the topic of Monday's Democratic tele-luncheon
https://carsonnow.org/reader-content/03/12/2021/covid-19-recession-and-prospects-recovery-topic-mondays-democratic-tele-lu

Featured speaker at Monday's Democratic tele-luncheon will be Elliott Parker, PhD, Economics professor at the University of Nevada-Reno and Nevada's Second Gentleman.
His presentation, entitled The Covid-19 Recession and Prospects for Recovery, will address the current economic downturn in the context of future inflation, unemployment, bankruptcies, economic growth, savings rates, and poverty, as well as income and wealth inequality. He will also touch on the state budget currently being negotiated at the legislature and the newly enacted 1.9 trillion dollar American Rescue Plan.

January exports shrink as recession bites
https://www.bworldonline.com/january-exports-shrink-as-recession-bites/

Philippine exports shrank in January after rising in the previous two months, while imports continued to decline for the 21st month, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Friday.
Merchandise exports shrank by 5.2% to $5.49 billion in January from 9.4% growth a year earlier, according to preliminary data. Exports grew by 1.7% in December.
Imports also fell by 14.9% to $7.911 billion in January, worse than the declines of 8.2% and 2.8% in December and January 2020, respectively.

Nicaragua lowers policy rate as long recession continues
https://www.centralbanking.com/central-banks/monetary-policy/monetary-policy-decisions/7808071/nicaragua-lowers-policy-rate-as-long-recession-continues

The Central Bank of Nicaragua has cut its policy rate for the sixth time in a year, as the country’ economic contraction continues.

This Recession is Different
https://www.sharecafe.com.au/2021/03/12/this-recession-is-different/

Unlike many past recessions, this one was medically rather than financially induced. But the real difference was the degree to which fiscal policy support kept income levels up even though activity levels (GDP) fell dramatically. As a result, different industries have been impacted to different degrees – but economy-wide job losses and business closures have been lower compared with a typical recession. In turn, this has meant that with the medical crisis now abating, economies can bounce back much more sharply than is usual.

LOWER INCOME, LESS CAPITAL: WHY THE PANDEMIC RECESSION HAS HIT MINORITY-OWNED SMALL-BUSINESS OWNERS SO HARD
http://www.milwaukeeindependent.com/syndicated/lower-income-less-capital-pandemic-recession-hit-minority-owned-small-business-owners-hard/

The pandemic has taken a heavy toll on Main Street, with small businesses across the United States closing by the thousands.
But as bad as the overall scene is, for minority-owned businesses the picture is even bleaker. A survey released on Jan. 27 by advocacy group Small Business Majority found that almost 1 in 5 Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs expected to permanently close their business over the course of the next three months – a rate higher than for white business owners. It comes on the back of a report by the Federal Reserve of Cleveland that suggested that the impact of the coronavirus could be over two times larger for Black- and Hispanic-owned businesses than for white-owned enterprises.

SSS contributions down 7.1% as recession slashed jobs
https://business.inquirer.net/319416/sss-contributions-down-7-1-as-recession-slashed-jobs

Contributions to the state-run pension fund Social Security System (SSS) dropped 7.1 percent to P204.75 billion in 2020 as millions of its members lost their jobs amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Finance (DOF) said Friday.

[Rodius]

City dwellers are generally completely naive about the remotest level of responsibility that is required living outside of luxury apartments, and they will quickly realize that their poor skillsets and lack of physical working ability, is not acceptable.

It's sort of like releasing a domesticated dog into a national forest.  The strongest, and smartest can survive, but the majority will die within a matter of days.

I grew up in cities.
Yet, when I moved to a small town I adapted quite nicely.
And when I moved to Samoa, which is rural and tough, I also adapted to that as well.

People are quite good at that.
Moving from city to small town is hardly the same as a domesticated dog having to survive in the wild.

But almost everyone, town or city dweller, would die within the week if thrown into the wild.

[Tom_Mazanec]

Legislators Consider Reforms To Elections And Evictions
https://knpr.org/knpr/2021-03/legislators-consider-reforms-elections-and-evictions

Lawmakers in Carson City could vote to seal non-payment eviction records during the COVID state of emergency.

Eviction protections approved by Senate | 2021 Legislative Session
https://www.ptleader.com/stories/eviction-protections-approved-by-senate-2021-legislative-session,74154

As the end of an emergency eviction moratorium looms over thousands of Washington renters, a bill requiring landlords to have just cause for evicting a tenant passed the House of Representatives in a 54-44 vote March 7.

Minnesota legislators debate eviction ban 'off-ramp' as tenants fear homelessness
https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-legislators-debate-eviction-ban-off-ramp-as-tenants-fear-homelessness/600033988/

Legislative planning for the end of the eviction halt has started in earnest.

Senator Euer bill bans evictions during states of emergency, establishes eviction-diversion program
https://whatsupnewp.com/2021/03/senator-euer-bill-bans-evictions-during-states-of-emergency-establishes-eviction-diversion-program/

The legislation (2021-S 0183) would prevent any part of an eviction process from moving forward during a declared state of an emergency, from eviction notices to court filings or actions.

Pandemic Restrictions on Landlord-Tenant Evictions
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/pandemic-restrictions-on-landlord-1990070/

This is frustrating for tenants who may find themselves in an even deeper financial hole and still facing eviction. This is also frustrating for landlords who often rely on rental income for their own support and have found themselves unable to pay their own bills due to a nonpaying tenant. Landlords have the right to seek unpaid rent from a tenant, even after that tenant has moved out, but this debt frequently goes unpaid. Some government programs such as N.C. Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions (HOPE) Program have been implemented to soften the burden to all parties involved by providing rental assistance to tenants to pay their landlords. The efficacy and accessibility of these programs are unclear. The HOPE Program’s website states that as of March 1, 2021, it is no longer accepting new applications.

Landlords gear up for evictions in St. Lawrence County
https://www.wwnytv.com/2021/03/12/landlords-gear-up-evictions-st-lawrence-county/

The state’s moratorium on evictions ends April 30 and landlords in St. Lawrence County are getting ready. In the just past four months, they’ve picked up applications for 260 evictions.

Eviction moratorium expiring in March
https://www.wtoc.com/2021/03/12/eviction-moratorium-expiring-march/

In Chatham County, it’s estimated there are thousands of dispossessory cases have been filed during the pandemic and are pending in the courts.
Attorney Shaina Thompson who works on those cases for Georgia Legal Services explained what’s at stake.
“The CDC is still allowing people to file evictions so come March 31st we are going to have a tsunami of evictions take place. We are planning for it not be extended and that’s the safest thing to do, and we’re telling our clients to prepare for it not to be extended,” Thompson said.

There are two sides to every story:
Landlord homeless, unable to evict ‘deadbeat’ tenant thanks to COVID law
https://nypost.com/2021/03/13/nyc-landlord-homeless-unable-to-evict-deadbeat-tenant/

Shawna Eccles, 30, says in court papers she sleeps on the couches of friends and relatives whenever she can, and in her four-door Toyota when she can’t, after fighting and failing for months to evict Sharita Patterson, 33, from the two-family home in Carnarsie.

and
Frustrated landlord tries a new strategy: Suing the judge who’s blocking evictions amid Covid
https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2021/03/12/frustrated-landlord-tries-new-strategy.html

After failing in one bid to overturn St. Louis County's eviction moratorium, a landlord is now arguing that the government has effectively taken its property without compensation — and should pay up.

And here in my neck of the woods:
Evictions Continue During Pandemic Despite Rental Assistance, Eviction Moratorium
https://www.wksu.org/economy/2021-03-11/evictions-continue-during-pandemic-despite-rental-assistance-eviction-moratorium

With problems logging into Zoom, confusion over long waiting times and connection issues, some tenants The Devil Strip has spoken to have expressed frustration about the Zoom eviction process, saying they don’t feel heard.
“I didn't understand it. I was confused. And the judge, I don't even know if she could see my face on Zoom. It just seemed like she didn't care,” Jeffries said.

and the latest on that Cleveland judge ruling:
Federal Courts Keep Chipping Away at the CDC Eviction Moratorium
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-11/foes-of-cdc-eviction-ban-deliver-a-blow-in-ohio

An Ohio judge has blocked the federal eviction ban, allowing landlords to resume filings against tenants in the Cleveland area — and perhaps nationwide.

and
Judge: CDC lacks authority to halt rental evictions
https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2021/mar/12/judge-cdc-lacks-authority-to-halt-rental-evictions/

The suit was one of several filed in federal courts across the country by property owners who have struggled financially because of the coronavirus.

[Tom_Mazanec]

Wounded by both a pandemic and recession, millennials are reliving the history of 100 years ago
https://www.businessinsider.com/similarities-between-coronavirus-pandemic-spanish-flu-great-recession-depression-millennials-2021-3

Millennials are defined by the Great Recession and the coronavirus pandemic, says gen expert Neil Howe.
It's a repeat of the GI Generation, who came of age during the Spanish Flu and Great Depression.
The pandemic and economic crash defined older and younger cohorts of both generations, but in reverse.

Tech council dives into 'first female recession' and its impact on women workers
https://www.ksl.com/article/50125083/tech-council-dives-into-first-female-recession-and-its-impact-on-women-workers

While the coronavirus pandemic has had dramatic impacts on everyone, women in the technology sector have borne the brunt of the job losses and added family-related responsibilities and find themselves in a recession that has set them back from hard-fought gains in workplace equity, national reports have shown.

GDP figures this week should change odds on NZ being in recession
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/124543748/gdp-figures-this-week-should-change-odds-on-nz-being-in-recession

GDP figures due out this week may shed light on whether the country could already be in a technical recession.

CBI: Iran Emerges From Recession
https://financialtribune.com/articles/domestic-economy/107867/cbi-iran-emerges-from-recession

Iran’s economy has come out of recession following two consecutive quarters of growth, says the Central Bank of Iran’s governor.

A wave of evictions is not inevitable. It’s a policy choice.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/15/opinion/wave-evictions-is-not-inevitable-its-policy-choice/

The solution to the looming eviction crisis is as simple as giving renters cash.

Index forecasts surge in evictions and foreclosures
https://www.mpamag.com/news/index-forecasts-surge-in-evictions-and-foreclosures-249215.aspx

The LegalShield Foreclosure Index rose to its highest level since July, up 5.5 points to 38.1 in February. While evictions and foreclosures are still 42% below pre-pandemic levels, the index suggests that foreclosures may rise later this year once moratoria are lifted.

Fifth Graders Protest Against Evictions During Pandemic
https://boston.cbslocal.com/video/5393277-fifth-graders-protest-against-evictions-during-pandemic/

The group of students rallied at the State House on Sunday.

Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot Has a Plan to End Hunger in America
https://time.com/5946206/feeding-america-ceo-claire-babineaux-fontenot-hunger-america/

And like so many social ills, the pandemic has made things worse. Feeding America’s latest data projects that the number of people that face food insecurity has swollen to 42 million. Over the past year, Feeding America’s nationwide network of 200 food banks provided more than 6 billion meals. “It has taken me a while to have gotten to the point where I can say it and keep talking because it takes my breath away to think about that many people struggling,” says Babineaux-Fontenot.

COVID-19 undoing progress towards ending childhood hunger
https://www.kgns.tv/2021/03/12/covid-19-undoing-progress-towards-ending-childhood-hunger/

School cafeteria workers and nutrition staff have been working behind the scenes during the pandemic to make sure children don’t go hungry.