Things are getting pretty rough out there. Even after the President has advised all non-essential stores to close, there are still big companies who refuse to do this, putting the lives of thousands of workers at risk.
To top it off, one billionaire is keeping his arts-and-crafts chain open and refusing to pay sick leave because God told him to.
Keep scrolling to read more about his divine epiphany...
What's the right thing to do?
We're all stuck in a critical situation at the minute, which is worsening by the hour.Stores are closing left right and center.
This is resulting in millions of people losing their jobs.Coronavirus has shut down most of the economy.
Over the weekend, #SaferAtHome order was revised to: -ban ALL public & private gatherings -close malls, playgrounds… https://t.co/SRRxSlXITi— Los Angeles County (@Los Angeles County)1584980319.0
The government's safety net seems ill equipt to help those in need.
Sen. Tom Cotton: "Here it is again in a bill designed to stop the pandemic. Are you kidding me? $15-an-hour minimu… https://t.co/MZeJW8UHtb— Caleb Hull (I'm With the CCP Don't Ban Me) (@Caleb Hull (I'm With the CCP Don't Ban Me))1584996448.0
There have been record spikes in unemployment claims.
Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Initial claims were 3,283,000 for the week ending 3/21 (+3,001,000). Insured… https://t.co/4OXLdQpDph— US Labor Department (@US Labor Department)1585225848.0
Jobless claims sored to 3.28 million just last week!
.@USDOL is developing compliance assistance and outreach materials on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act w… https://t.co/eCzMJvyIzN— US Labor Department (@US Labor Department)1585155981.0
This surge is straining unemployment offices.
.@WHD_DOL has information on common issues employers and workers face when responding to #coronavirus, including ef… https://t.co/iiRi1B6Otp— US Labor Department (@US Labor Department)1585236625.0
But demand was too high.
I don't even wanna imagine what unemployment offices are looking like right now https://t.co/NB2kLuUE9G— Albiux (@Albiux)1585236936.0
So far the layoffs have hit those without salary paying jobs the most.
Millions of additional Americans will lose their job over the next few days. For us in the Senate today MUST BE a… https://t.co/S30ix3qMmU— Marco Rubio (@Marco Rubio)1584969851.0
Unemployment just isn't an option.
For workers, it's the uncertainty that's the frustrating aspect. No one knows how long the pandemic and economy lockdown will last.Some workers have found themselves in limbo.
For those unaware, @JoAnn_Stores is NOT allowing employees to wear masks or gloves and are not closing their stores… https://t.co/Dw5cHAAIEq— Grey @ my house, still, ugh (@Grey @ my house, still, ugh)1584624730.0
Several big companies are furloughing tens of thousands of workers.
DELAWARE NORTH and #NHLBruins announce "temporary business stabilization measures" including the furloughing of 68… https://t.co/hSryarejqc— Mike Petraglia (@Mike Petraglia)1585164693.0
However, this isn't the case for many Hobby Lobby workers across America.
The US arts-and Crafts chain Hobby Lobby has said it will remain open during the pandemic, despite not being classed an essential-business.There's always a catch...
Hobby Lobby owner stays open because god told him to, but REFUSES to pay sick leave. @StephMillerShow Mississippi g… https://t.co/ugsMcrxjx0— Did They Let U Vote? (@Did They Let U Vote?)1585185707.0
There will be some stores that close down.
via: Twitter
But in the states that have not ordered retailers to shut down, it will be business as usual.In a letter given to all employees, David Green warned that times would be tough.
Saying: “To help ensure our company remains strong and prepared to prosper once again when this passes, we may all have to ‘tighten our belts’ over the near future."That's easy to say when your net worth is in the region of 6 billion dollars.
via: Twitter
The devout Christian went on to say: “I cannot adequately express how much I appreciate each one of you." Maybe he could start by ensuring his employees' health is the main priority?On Monday, Vice President, Randy Betts, wrote a memo to store managers.
BREAKING: HOBBY LOBBY in #OKC will layoff half of its workforce No more than 16 employees per store 10% wage cut fo… https://t.co/yEG0eEgzvS— Compass OKC (@Compass OKC)1585075887.0
It's hard to see where his Christian beliefs come into play.
Hobby Lobby owner David Green is telling store managers to stay open despite the pandemic because his wife had a vi… https://t.co/E8h01Cq1Rd— Kendall Brown (@Kendall Brown)1584836269.0