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Quick service restaurants, or fast food, started popping in the United States after World War II. White Castle is typically credited as the first fast-food restaurant. It opened in Wichita, Kansas in 1921. The company struggled early on due to the 1904 publication of Upton Sinclair's novel The Jungle. The book talked about disgusting, inhumane conditions at meat packing plants in Chicago. It sold over 100,000 copies in it's first year, according to the Encyclopedia of Chicago.
The origins of cubicles trace back to Frank Lloyd Wright and other early 20th century architects and designers. They believed that walls made offices dreary, dungeon-like places that made workers feel trapped. Business owners tended to agree, but for different reasons. They believed walls inhibited the ability to pack as many workers into one place as possible to maximize productivity and profits. Enter cubicles.
The Bay Area had zero COVID-19 related deaths for two connective days (May 16 and 17), according to health officials in the nine-county area. It was the first time since March 10-12 that the Bay Area reported consecutive days with no coronavirus deaths. Bay Area COVID-19 mortality rates are four-times lower than Los Angeles and five-times lower than the national average among major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Bay Area check cashing companies have always utilized tempered glass barriers as a means of separating customers from the employees. Most banks utilize ballistic glass barriers. Both of these setups had security in mind when first developed. The idea was to deter would-be robbers and give employees a few extra seconds to take the necessary actions. But now these barriers are serving a new purpose in the aftermath of COVID-19.
Most of the Bay Area is still several weeks away from reopening. Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and San Clara counties extended stay-at-home orders through at least May 31. The City of Berkeley issued a similar directive. But many businesses were allowed to reopen on May 4. Governor Gavin Newsom launched Stage 2 of the state's reopening plan Friday, May 8. Florist, sporting goods stores, music stores, apparel stores and more opened for curbside. The governor acknowledged that the Bay Area extended it stay-at-home order through the end of the month, adding "that is their right." San Francisco Mayor London Breed indicated the city and county would move into Phase 2 next week.
The Golden State Warriors announced on March 11 that they would play their next home game against the Brooklyn Nets without fans. That same day, San Francisco Mayor London Breed banned all public gatherings of more than 1,000 people. The NBA suspended the 2019-20 season indefinitely later that evening. The NCAA announced it was cancelling the March Madness championship tournament the following day. It was a huge blow to Stanford, which was playing its way into the "big dance" from the tournament bubble. These events were reality checks for Americans, the triggers that let us all know COVID-19 was a disaster-level event.
We've written several articles in the past two years about the ongoing debate between open office furniture and cubicles. Managers and C-Level executives like open office to encourage collaboration and eliminate barriers between workers. Meanwhile Millennial and Gen Z workers are more content with open office layouts then Baby Boomers and Generation X, who are less than enthusiastic about it. The COVID-19 pandemic is resolving the issue for everyone.
Life comes at you quickly, especially when unexpected medical emergencies happen. The coronavirus pandemic has everyone on edge. Unemployment claims have reached unprecedented levels, as many Bay Area residents are worried about making rent and feeding their families. The good news is that Bay Area hospitals are seeing declines in patients intakes due to COVID-19, according to reports by government health officials. The smoke will clear eventually and bills will need to be paid once again.
A 2019 study by Dr. David U. Himmelstein of Hunter College, found that nearly 67% of bankruptcies were filed due to medical bills or time off work because of medical issues. Only 40% of Americans have enough money saved up to handle an unexpected $1,000 expense, according to personal finance website Bankrate. Many Americans received at least $1,200 from the federal government last month to help them get through the month. But longer-term solutions are necessary. Fortunately there are options for less expensive medical care for those willing to put forth the effort.
Here are three tips to nip potential medical disaster in the bud.
A 2018 study by Delta Dental Plans Association found that 42% of Americans don't see their dentists as often as they should. Part of that is due to fear. A survey by market research firm DentaVox found that 61% of respondents said they don't like stepping foot in dental offices. The sound of dental drills, smell of chemicals and pain were cited as the most common reasons for their reluctance. The other major deterrent is high costs, even when you have dental coverage.
Coronavirus has changed life for just about everyone in the country. The U.S. Department of Labor reported 30.3 million unemployment claims in the last six weeks. That smashed all previous weekly and monthly jobless claim number since the Labor Departmenr began keeping records in 1948. The restaurant, hospitality and entertainment industries have been hit the hardest.
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