Pro Publica – “Brands have long been able to bid for the premier slot at the top left of Amazon’s listings, but during the pandemic the online retailer has begun using this position for its private-label items, raising antitrust concerns. Although customers don’t necessarily realize it, brands have for years been able to bid on… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Economy
High-Income Nonfilers Owing Billions of Dollars Are Not Being Worked by the Internal Revenue Service
Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration – High-Income Nonfilers Owing Billions of Dollars Are Not Being Worked by the Internal Revenue Service May 29, 2020, Reference Number: 2020-30-015: “The gross Tax Gap is the estimated difference between the amount of tax that taxpayers should pay and the amount paid voluntarily and on time. The average… Continue Reading
What’s Lost in a Furlough
American Libraries – “As the US unemployment rate spikes to historic highs, many librarians and other library workers are being furloughed from their positions and navigating the personal and professional challenges that result. One of the biggest challenges—the effect on morale—is heightened when furloughs arrive with little warning, little support, or both…. Continue Reading
Who Moderates the Social Media Giants?
NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights – Who Moderates the Social Media Giants? A Call to End Outsourcing. Paul M. Barrett, June 2020: “In our latest report on the social media industry, we look at how the major platforms handle the problem of content moderation: deciding what remains on their sites and what… Continue Reading
Study finds shutdowns prevented 60 million coronavirus infections in US
Washington Post: “Shutdown orders prevented about 60 million novel coronavirus infections in the United States and 285 million in China, according to a research study published Monday that examined how stay-at-home orders and other restrictions limited the spread of the contagion. A separate study from epidemiologists at Imperial College London estimated that the shutdowns saved… Continue Reading
SEC is plugged into the potential pitfalls of making Covid-19 vaccines
Via Quartz: SEC filings tell us a lot about the potential pitfalls of making Covid-19 vaccines. Companies working on vaccines detail how unlikely it is for a trial to fail, and it underscores how vaccines aren’t a magic bullet—total public health must be considered if we’re going to make progress….Enter 8-K forms. Publicly-traded companies are required… Continue Reading
Survey of the 50 richest Americans – pandemic is testing the generosity of billionaires
Washington Post – “America’s love-hate affair with billionaires took an uncomfortable twist this spring: As the coronavirus spread across the country, both fans and critics wondered what these titans of capitalism would do to address this devastating health and economic crisis. The answer so far: Not much, when accounting for their vast personal fortunes. A… Continue Reading
In Changing U.S. Electorate Race and Education Remain Stark Dividing Lines
“Republicans hold wide advantages in party identification among several groups of voters, including white men without a college degree, people living in rural communities in the South and those who frequently attend religious services. Democrats hold formidable advantages among a contrasting set of voters, such as black women, residents of urban communities in the Northeast… Continue Reading
Why You Should Wear a Mask to Your Next Job Interview
LifeHacker: “Now that more and more states are reopening, job seekers might find themselves in the position of having to decide how to approach an in-person job interview. Should you wear a mask? Should you avoid shaking hands? Should you attempt to stay at least six feet away from your interviewers? According to Ask a… Continue Reading
Mayors and governors: This is how you tackle racism
Brookings – Camille Busette – “While we have terms for others who have experienced trauma, in over 400 years of racism, we do not yet have a term for Black and Brown people who experience racial terrorism. This is a devastating and telling omission in our lexicon because it conveys how a majority-white society in the United States has refused… Continue Reading
Will COVID-19 Sound The Permanent Death Knell For Public Transit
Forbes: “During the virus crisis, ridership and service in both public transit and taxis (including Uber/Lyft) has fallen off a cliff. Scooter micromobility has plunged, too. People don’t want to get into a vehicle with others, or where unknown others just were. Of course, far few people are travelling. If they have access to a… Continue Reading
How Big is the Racial Wealth Gap?
Of Dollars and Data – Nick Maggiulli – “As riots erupt across America following the murder of George Floyd, race relations have once again taken center stage in the United States. Though there is a lot of focus on the social inequalities occurring in the U.S., we should also take a deeper look at the economic… Continue Reading
