COVID-19 – Large Holes in US Social Safety Net on Paid Sick Leave as Social Distancing is Mandated by President Trump

Posted on 14 March 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on Covid-19

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Our friends at Pew Research Center note that one of the key pieces of advice offered by health experts is: If you feel sick, stay home. This begs the question that Pew answers in its latest research report: As coronavirus spreads, which U.S. workers have paid sick leave – and which don’t?. Herewith excerpts from this non-partisan fact tank. As a neutral source of data and analysis, Pew Research Center does not take policy positions.

The U.S. and South Korea are the only two countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development where paid sick leave is not guaranteed, according to a 2018 report from UCLA’s World Policy Analysis Center. All European Union member countries have some form of paid sick leave, though the details vary.
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Chinese Junk Watch: Exploding Yamaha Wireless Guitar Amp

Posted on 14 March 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on Yamaha Exploding Wireless Guiter Pickups

Lithium Ion battery explosions?

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says a recall involves Yamaha Line 6 Relay G10, G10S (G10SR), and G10T Digital Wireless Guitar System (G10 Family of Products) that allows an electric guitar to be connected wirelessly to an amplifier.

“The lithium-ion battery can overheat, and the battery cover can separate with force,  posing fire and injury hazards.” (This appears to be an explosion – editor) Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled products and contact Yamaha to receive a free repair for the G10 Family of Products, and a full refund for the G10T USB charging cable.  Continue reading →

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SEC Sets Guidelines for Virtual Annual Shareholder Meetings

Posted on 13 March 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on COVID-19

SEC Chairman Jay Clayton and staff doing what they can to help telecommunications and shareholder proposals. Let’s hope Trump doesn’t shut down the government again.

The Securities and Exchange Commission today said it has published guidance to assist public companies, investment companies, shareholders, and other market participants affected by COVID-19 with upcoming annual shareholder meetings. The guidance is designed to help companies hold meetings, including through the use of technology, and engage with shareholders while complying with the federal securities laws.

Affected parties can announce in filings made with the SEC the changes in the meeting date or location or the use of “virtual” meetings without incurring the cost of additional physical mailing of proxy materials.  Continue reading →

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Trump Declares COVID-19 National Emergency

Posted on 13 March 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on President Trump and the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis

Still lagging is testing, but at least some movement finally to ease testing blocks.

Beleaguered President Trump has used his power to tell an adjourned Republican Senate and working House of Representatives that he is declaring that the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the United States constitutes a national emergency. Our $19 trillion economy was expected to grow 2% this year. At 0% it equals more than $380 billion of losses.

This means that Trump is correcting or allowing to come about what were his previous misstatements this week, which caused a reign of confusion. Now the Secretary of Health and Human Services can exercise the authority to temporarily waive or modify certain requirements of the Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children’s Health Insurance programs and of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Privacy Rule throughout the duration of the public health emergency declared in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

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Porsche Proposes 41% Dividend Rise at May Annual Meeting

Posted on 13 March 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on New 2019 Porsche 911 - November 2018

Ex-Formula One driver Mark Webber with the new Porsche 911. Not surprisingly, he praised the sports car.

The Executive Board and Supervisory Board of Porsche Automobil Holding SE in Stuttgart wants to increase the dividend for the fiscal year 2019 by 41% to €3.11 (prior year: €2.21) per preferred share and €3.104 (prior year: €2.204) per ordinary share. This corresponds to a payout of 952 million (prior year: €676 million), of which €476 million is attributable to the holders of preferred shares.

On 19 May 2020 the annual general meeting in Stuttgart will decide on the proposed dividend if the COVID-19 Pandemic doesn’t prevent it. Continue reading →

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Daimler Postpones Annual Shareholders’ Meeting

Posted on 13 March 2020 by Ken Zino

AutoInformed.com on COVID-19 PandemicDaimler AG has decided not to hold the company’s Annual Shareholders’ Meeting as scheduled on 1April 1, 2020, but to postpone it to a later date in 2020.

“This will inevitably lead to a corresponding postponement of the resolution on the allocation of profit and of the dividend payment.”
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NASCAR Ends Denial of COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted on 13 March 2020 by Ken Zino

NASCAR has finally decided to postpone the race events at Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend and Homestead-Miami Speedway next weekend. This follows days of maneuvering to keep the events going and salvage some revenue from merchandising sales and TV rights.
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COVID-19: Globally – Ford Motor Employees to Work Remotely

Posted on 13 March 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on COVID-19 and the auto industry

The Glass House acting more decisively then White House? Our $19 trillion economy was expected to grow 2% this year. At 0% it equals more than $380 billion of losses.

Ford Motor Company has just released a statement that despite the actions and rhetoric  of the Trump administration further steps are needed to protect the health of its workers. The FMC action comes after Trump’s Wednesday address from the Oval Office, which immediately had to be corrected by Administration and other government staffers for it blatantly false assertions.

“In recent days, though, we concluded the issue has taken on a different dimension,” said Ford, “and (we) are continuing to act in real time to keep our people safe and help limit the spread of the virus in communities where we live and work.” Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Condemns USWNT Exploitation of Women

Posted on 12 March 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on Equal Pay for Females

“We at Volkswagen of America are disgusted by positions taken by U.S. Soccer.”

The U.S. Soccer Federation apologized after it contended in court documents that women on its national team had lesser responsibilities and physical abilities than their male counterparts and should be paid less than men. This blatantly sexist assertion drew widespread criticism and ignited a player protest the Associated Press reports.

USSF President Carlos Cordeiro’s weak and mild expression of regret on Wednesday night came after The Coca-Cola Co. lambasted the federation for supporting lesser pay for its female stars. Coca-Cola called the federation’s assertion in documents filed earlier this week “unacceptable and offensive.” 
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National Debt Projections – Off the Chart Before COVID-19

Posted on 12 March 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on Deficits and criminal investigations keep growing under President Trump.

Deficits keep growing under President Trump’s economic policies.

During the past decade, the federal government’s debt increased at a faster rate than at any time since the end of World War II, according to the Congressional Budget office in January. Without question our debt has outrun the economic growth over that period. At the end of 2019, federal debt was higher than at any other time since just after the war – exacerbated by Republican tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy.

Debt held by the public is a measure that indicates the extent to which federal borrowing affects the availabil­ity of private funds for other borrowers. All else being equal, an increase in government borrowing reduces the amount of money available to other borrowers, putting upward pressure on interest rates and reducing private investment. It is the measure of debt most often used by CBO in its reports on the budget. The cost of growing debt increases the finance payments of new and used vehicles. Continue reading →

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IMSA Delays Twelve Hours of Sebring to November 2020

Posted on 12 March 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on IMSA and COVID-19

The rescheduled race will be a season-ending event run November 11-14.

The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) announced today that the 68th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring scheduled for March 18-21 has been postponed due to the recent United States ban on travel from Europe, which will prevent a number of drivers, teams and key personnel from participation.

Notably, IMSA said nothing about the growing public health crisis and its potential dire effects on fans. IMSA is owned by NASCAR, which has just banned fans from races.
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NASCAR Bans Fans at Races

Posted on 12 March 2020 by Ken Zino

Just a day after insisting that it would hold racing as usual with slight tweaks to protect the drivers from COVID-19, NASCAR has partially admitted  that more steps are necessary to acknowledge the growing crisis and public health threat.

“At this time, NASCAR will hold its race events at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway without fans in attendance. These events will be restricted to competitors, crews, officials and other necessary personnel to conduct the race. We will work with public health officials as we determine future scheduling beyond these events,” it just said in a terse statement.It also banned photographers in what we predict will be a futile attempt to prevent empty stand photos from going viral.

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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the US

Posted on 11 March 2020 by Ken Zino

AutoInformed.com on COVID-19CDC is recording an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus, aka COVID-19 click for states. The data are at least one day old and not comprehensive.

The outbreak first started in Wuhan, China, but cases have been identified in a growing number of other locations internationally, including the United States. In addition to CDC, many public health laboratories are now testing for the virus that causes COVID-19.

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NASCAR Still Racing So Far, Buffers and Restrictions Added

Posted on 11 March 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.comon 2019 NASCAR Rule Changes

No drafting by fans…

As the COVID-19 crisis develops nationally and locally, NASCAR says it “remains in daily consultation with public health officials and other prominent sports and entertainment properties.”

NASCAR has added an infectious disease specialist to its consulting physician group to provide technical assistance and to inform policy. In following with these discussions and guidance from this counsel, NASCAR is implementing several adjustments to race event operations effective this weekend at Atlanta and remaining in effect indefinitely.
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COVID-19: Fiat Chrysler Starts Work from Home, Distances Workers, Prepares for Possible Temporary Factory Shut Downs

Posted on 11 March 2020 by Ken Zino
AutoInformed.com on COVID-19

It’s not just China that is suffering from COVID-19, the crisis is global.

In a statement this morning issued in London, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles said it is implementing “new measures across its facilities in Italy to support the nationwide campaign addressing the COVID-19 crisis.” As a result of taking these actions the company will, where necessary, make temporary closures of its plants across Italy.

Beyond the measures already taken in support of government directives, FCA said it will act to minimize the risk of spreading the contagion between employees. These include intensive sanitation of all work and rest areas, changing rooms and washrooms. To enable greater spacing of employees at their workstations, daily production rates will be lowered to accommodate the adapted manufacturing processes.
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