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The EU’s coronavirus fund is put to work. Member states will raise up to €100 billion ($109 billion) for a temporary fund to support European workers, and further assist countries such as Spain and Italy that already have schemes in place to protect workers against sudden shocks.
British Airways could suspend 36,000 staff. The expected announcement comes after the carrier stopped all flights from London’s Gatwick Airport, and negotiations with the union. Up to 80% of BA staff could be affected, but they’ll be able to receive some of their salaries through a government coronavirus scheme.
A member of Fountains of Wayne died from coronavirus. Adam Schlesinger, who played bass in the US rock band best known for songs such as “Stacy’s Mom,” was 52. Ellis Marsalis, a pianist and the patriarch of the famed New Orleans jazz family, also died after being hospitalized for coronavirus symptoms. He was 85.
SoftBank bailed on WeWork. The Japanese investor and dominant WeWork shareholder said it would not go through with a deal to buy $3 billion in additional shares, dealing a major blow to the cash-strapped company. WeWork’s problems continue to mount as the coronavirus pandemic decimates demand for shared office space.
Mental health was an increasingly visible issue in the workplace before coronavirus. Now that we’re isolated from one another, it’s all the more important to address. Register here for a virtual workshop today at 11am EDT (3pm GMT) on mental wellness, support, and anxiety relief in the trying days of quarantine.
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Essential reading
Does being made “essential” give gig workers the upper hand? Delivery, grocery, and warehouse workers have been declared “essential” workers in the US, which exempts them from stay-at-home orders. But many are angry about being exposed to one another, and to customers, during a pandemic, as they have poor benefits and low wages.
Social media influencers, too, are essential workers. At least that’s the view of Finland’s prime minister Sanna Marin. According to her office, they play a crucial role in spreading critical information during a pandemic, especially in a time when traditional media outlets such as TV and radio are not used by everyone.
Quartz membership
Virtual productivity is here to stay. The coronavirus pandemic is leaving an indelible mark on our classrooms and our workplaces.
Quartz daily obsession
Auctions are ancient. Selling off goods to the highest bidder dates back thousands of years, and has been used to find buyers for Roman emperorships, Nobel prizes, and celebrity kidney stones. But throughout its history, the practice has also been intimately bound up with the trade of human beings. As auctions step into the digital age, their revenues show no sign of slowing down. Raise a paddle with the Quartz Daily Obsession.
Matter of debate
Wealthy people who flee during a pandemic are behaving unethically. Some have gone to their second or third homes or to visit family members in more remote locations. Others have paid thousands for short-term rentals. It all begs the question: In a crisis situation, to whom do you owe the greatest responsibility—yourself and your loved ones, or the wider population?
Surprising discoveries
Bored celebrities are making Covid-19 PSAs. Some of them are not bad, but some are practically unwatchable.
DeepMind is coming for your Pong high score. Its new AI mastered all 57 Atari games.
Malaysian women are not having the government’s coronavirus tips. Its “advice” includes not nagging your husband and being sure to wear makeup at home.
Have your own adventure 20,000 leagues under the sea. For $750,000, you can take a trip to the Mariana Trench—which, at 11 kilometers (7 miles) deep, is more like two leagues.
Belarussian soccer and Tajik basketball are having a moment. Betting companies are looking to the few sports competitions that are still going on for business.
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, Pong high scores, and useful celebrity advice to hi@qz.com. Get the most out of Quartz by downloading our app on iOS or Android and becoming a member. Today’s Daily Brief was written by Isabella Steger and edited by Mary Hui.