About this episode
Street Protest in the Time of Coronavirus Shouting "No to Rent, Yes to Food!" and observing proper social distancing measures, demonstrators in Boyle Heights yesterday called on the City of L.A. to do more to protect renters during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tenants rights activists want to see complete rent forgiveness until the coronavirus crisis is declared over. Guest: Elizabeth Blaney, Union de Vecinos Self-Employed? It's Frustrating to File for Unemployment New data put startling numbers to the insecurity so many people feel right now. In the U.S., 6 and a half million people have filed unemployment claims. As the biggest state, and the first to order residents to shelter-in-place, California had the most claims: nearly 900-thousand. But that might be just the beginning - as people struggle to navigate the process of filing. And the situation’s even more complicated for freelancers and gig workers. They were ineligible before the new coronavirus hit. But they were promised help in that $2 Trillion dollar relief bill Congress passed last week. Guest: Jim Siler, Freelance TV technician Home Healthcare Workers Want Masks and Hazard Pay A lot of workers who are still employed are trying to stay safe during COVID-19 pandemic. Take the half a million in-home supporter service providers here in California. They work for county-run programs. Most make around minimum wage, and get only one paid day off a year. Now, they’re asking for help, specifically masks and hazard pay. Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED Amazon's Warehouse Workers Worry About Infection Amazon warehouse employees who package everything from pasta to toilet paper say the e-commerce giant isn’t doing enough to protect them from COVID-19. Workers at a warehouse in Riverside County are staying home and have signed a petition demanding their health be taken seriously. Reporter: Mickey Capper UC and Other Colleges Relax Admissions Requirements The leaders of California’s biggest university systems are loosening undergrad admissions requirements during the pandemic. It just might ease the anxiety of high school juniors and seniors preparing for college. Reporter: Vanessa Rancano, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices