The damage done by the novel coronavirus has been decidedly uneven, both in terms of infection and the broader fallout for individuals and businesses. The gulf appeared right from the start: The mortality rate was far higher for residents of inland China, where Covid-19 began, than elsewhere. In Hong Kong, as companies furloughed staff, low-paid service workers suffered the most. In America, citizens of Asian descent faced a spike in racism even before the first cases were discovered. Now, as U.S. businesses prepare to close their doors, the working class and the poor will be hurt the most. Only 29% of American workers (disproportionately white-collar and white) will be able to do their jobs remotely. Meanwhile, many blue-collar employees can't work from home or don't have paid sick leave. "As so often is the case," said U.S. Senator Patty Murray, "this public health threat will have hidden and higher costs for low-wage workers." While tourism is the industry likely to be hit hardest in the U.S. and elsewhere, the longer term economic effects of the epidemic remain unclear. Nevertheless, some Americans are already panicking, cleaning out local supermarkets as if hurricanes were on the way. Apparently, oat milk is selling like hotcakes. —Philip Gray Did you see this? With less than 40% of working-age Italian women participating in the labor market, the nation has a built-in advantage when it comes to virus-related school closure. Many families have one parent available to care for children without losing income.
The U.S. presidential field is now down to three straight, white, male millionaires in their 70s: Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump. Other contenders, including Pete Buttigieg, Michael Bloomberg and Elizabeth Warren, have bowed out. California's 2018 quota law, requiring public companies to have at least one female director, has borne fruit: Among the state's Russell 3000 companies, about 45% of new board seats have gone to women. On Monday, California said at least 43 companies still lacked a woman and would face fines of $100,000 each. Among the female directors added, however, only 3% are Latina—far below 39%, which is the percentage of Hispanics who make up the state's population. The European Union aims to require companies to disclose the pay gap between male and female employees. Japanese women shouldn't be forced to wear high heels at work, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.
The first "Rosie the Riveter," Rosalind P. Walter, has died at the age of 95. We love chartsOne in 10 Americans is now severely obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Poor people, women and non-Hispanic black adults are forecast to be most affected by rising rates of obesity.  How the rich relax their way to healthBloomberg went undercover at the tony Arizona health resort known as Canyon Ranch. And yes, it's as surreal as you'd guess. Patrons make special requests for items like tall toilets or suites free of pens and paper. This rich person's redoubt grants their wishes of course, since money does buy almost everything. For less healthy urges such as booze, though, guests must look off-site; the nearby Circle K store is a popular destination. Maybe the rich really aren't so different after all? | 
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