Vacation weekends appear slightly unusual when Saturdays really feel the identical as Tuesdays and you may’t actually go anyplace, however have a very good Memorial Day all the identical! Right here’s what it is advisable know in enterprise and tech for the brief week forward.

What’s Up? (Might 17-23)

Going, Going, Gone

Earlier than March, you’d by no means take a look at 2.4 million workers filing for jobless benefits within the earlier week and suppose, “Hey, not the worst.” However right here we’re. At the same time as most states are permitting some companies to reopen, new functions for unemployment insurance coverage proceed at a record-breaking tempo (albeit a slowing one), including as much as 38.6 million in 9 weeks. And whereas nearly all of laid-off staff count on to get employed again, many economists warn that plenty of these jobs could also be gone for good because the financial system reshapes itself within the pandemic’s aftermath.

Goodbye, Water Cooler

Even when it could be protected to return to the workplace, employers have seen the sunshine: Cubicles are overrated, and dealing from house … effectively, it really works. It additionally saves corporations some huge cash. Many giant companies, together with Facebook and Twitter, are allowing employees to work remotely for the foreseeable future and can in the reduction of their real-estate footprints. That has many upsides, however it is going to additionally destroy upkeep and administrative jobs, in addition to companies that depend upon commuters and workplace staff, like lunch spots and low outlets. And what is going to turn out to be of the workplace buildings themselves? There are already issues that bacteria is building up in their plumbing systems, which have been by no means designed to be left unused for this lengthy, resulting in dangers like Legionnaires’ illness. Gross.

Unemployment Fraud

When you’re one of many fortunate individuals who nonetheless has a job, nice. However somebody could also be gathering unemployment advantages in your behalf. A community of worldwide hackers has been utilizing stolen Social Safety numbers to file claims for Americans who haven’t really been laid off after which siphon the cash into their very own pockets. In Washington State alone, impostors have used this tactic to steal hundreds of millions of dollars, in accordance with the top of the state’s Employment Safety Division. Federal investigators say that all states are vulnerable and that they’re working to determine the thieves.

What’s Subsequent? (Might 24-30)

Again to the Ground

The New York Inventory Alternate will partially reopen its trading floor to a small variety of brokers this coming Tuesday. Anybody who enters the constructing might be required to put on a masks, comply with social-distancing guidelines, endure temperature checks and abstain from utilizing public transit. And if they’ll’t meet these necessities, nice; nobody might be required to come back in, and merchants and different workers can proceed to work remotely, said Stacey Cunningham, president of the inventory change.

Contact Tracing 2.0

Apple and Google released new software this past week that enables public well being officers all over the world to create their very own contact tracing apps. It makes use of Bluetooth to detect individuals in your neighborhood and maintain monitor of who you’ll have interacted with. Then, if a kind of individuals checks constructive for the coronavirus and shares that data with the app, different customers who have been close to them within the final 14 days might be notified. Certain beats cold-calling strangers on the cellphone all day, the way in which actual contact tracers do their jobs, proper? Perhaps not, in accordance with critics, who say the apps pose severe privateness issues. A number of states and international locations need to harness the expertise, nevertheless it’s unclear what number of will really create apps, or how many individuals will use them.

Particular Supply

Bear in mind Carlos Ghosn, the previous chief of Nissan who was relieved of his duties after being accused of monetary fraud? The saga continues. Two Individuals, a former Inexperienced Beret and his son, have been accused of serving to to smuggle Mr. Ghosn out of Japan again in December. On the time, Mr. Ghosn was below home arrest and awaiting trial in Tokyo, however then managed to escape on a private jet (hidden in a big field) and flee to Lebanon. The 2 males, who have been arrested in Massachusetts, are anticipated to be extradited to Japan to face trial. Mr. Ghosn stays at giant in Beirut.

What Else?

Britain’s flour suppliers are struggling to keep up with the surge in baking through the pandemic lockdown. (How’s your sourdough starter going?) Fb is beginning Fb Outlets, an e-commerce function that enables customers to buy things directly from companies by means of the Fb and Instagram platforms. And for the primary time in nearly a decade, American astronauts will ride an American-made rocket into house. This one is made by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, and is scheduled for takeoff this Wednesday. (No spectators allowed.)