I am doing what I can to get by. I'll focus first on my own struggles, but also try to remember that other people have their own. I wouldn't change places with anyone who is dealing with the hassles and uncertainty of unemployment right now, or those who receive the equivalent of one or two weeks pay to stretch out indefinitely.

We all have our own problems, and given the stresses of surviving and providing for loved ones without a stable income that some face, I prefer my own.

Problem is unemployment only last a short time. After that nothing so every little bit helps. Hopefully, this episode will force a lot of people to reconsider their financial management and stop living off of credit cards and debt.

Those working essential jobs or that are being kept on the payroll of their company have a sense of security they will have a job and the benefits that come with it, when all this is over. Many businesses may end up closing for good, meaning unemployment could go on when things start opening up again.

I'm self employed, so if I don't work, I don't get paid. I've never applied for unemployment assistance before, but I did 4 weeks ago. I still don't know if I will get approved for unemployment or not, since our state system is slammed.

We went from being the state having the lowest unemployment to the highest in the country. We depend on year round tourism, and suddenly our state is unable to welcome visitors arriving by air or cruise ship. Most of our virus cases have been travel-related, so until we have a system in place that can screen visitors before arriving, we will stay closed, to avoid over-burdening our small hospital.

In order for me to stay here and be ready to work when our state opens back up, I'm going to need a little something to tide me over. I should qualify for the IRS $1200 which will cover me for one month. I see a notice that check will be mailed to me in early May.

I'm actually still working in the way of refunding deposits for events I had already booked for April and May, since all those events had to be canceled. If I actually get some unemployment payments, I'll be spending it on refunds to clients.

It may not seem fair, but I haven't received any income since March 22nd and like many folks here, I live paycheck to paycheck. It's through no fault of mine, nor my clients, that they can not fly here for their weddings.

I do think the Federal response to the crisis was too slow, as we did have early warning about it while precious time was wasted, costing thousands of lives and allowing it to spread so much more quickly than if testing was in place right off. The government needs to fix the problem it created.

Be thankful you have a job. and your finances are normal. Unemployement doesn't even cover the rent much less food, utilities and the infamous toilet paper. The amount for unemployement will be 1/3 my regular income. That is IF you get unemployement, it took me 4 1/2 weeks to get into the system, don't know when the first check will come or if it comes as there are talks that it is running out. When quarantine is lifted, that does not mean people will not get infected. When quarantine is lifted, it will not be "business as usual" because business is not going to be 100% right away. some people will continue to be on call, and like the 2008 recession, many will be completely laid off due to lack of work while the economy recovers. When quarantine is lifted, over due rents will be expected to be paid. Many people will probably lose their homes like in 2008. I have applied for EVERY job that I could possibly be qualified for the past 4 1/2 weeks as I would prefer to work and take precautionary measures than stay home for $1200 measely dollars ( Oh and the $1200 is not free money...it is an advancement of next years taxes). From the 2008 recession, I stayed "on call" of my full time job for 2 years hoping I would be able to return.(the company never could call me back). In the mean time I worked 2 part time jobs hoping every month that I would make more than the unemployment check. I eventually became full time in one of my part time jobs in 2010 and decided I should let go my original job.
Maybe that is the solution, people who are not up to working, please step down so the rest of us can work.

If they make under the required amount they'll get the stimulus payment.

Trust me the folks on unemployment are not rolling in the money happy about it. Many are waiting and waiting on payments - hoping they won't get thrown out of apartments for non-payment.
Hoping they have enough food to get through.

This isn't an instance of the grass being greener - it's just a different dire circumstance.
You didn't see people lined up for free lunches for their children at the local food bank I take it?

Some folks aren't sure they'll have a job to go back to - some are already jobless. Don't envy that.

They'll end up (later on) working the same jobs that put people at risk - working with the public

It's just opposite sides of the same mess - being poor with no choice..

I've given out 80.00 in tips to four workers in the last two weeks. The ones who aren't making the big bucks. Rather than fight for scraps, how about tipping the actual people who are working?
I don't have much, don't make much, but I have enough to get through this. Its not the time to split hairs. Or fight for crumbs.

I agree that essential workers deserve some type of hazard pay, but they are getting the ridiculously small "stimulus" payment. Typically, unemployment benefits are much lower than what a salary would be so many of the people I know would rather be - or are - working so they can at least pay their bills. In all instances, it's woefully ineffective.

Reminds me of the discussion about the government paying off college loans and how unfair it would be to the people that paid theirs off without help.

The alternative to either one is to not help those most in need. There is a movement to give bonuses to the people that are risking their lives and working to help keep America going during this pandemic. If it happens I hope it includes retail clerks as well as nurses because we would be in a world of hurt without either.

Life sucks, deal with it. "Fair" is a nice concept.

Agreed, it is unfair.