Executive Leadership Briefing

U.S. consumer prices increases slowed in July, but inflation overall remained historically high amid prolonged supply chain disruptions and a stronger demand for travel-related services. The consumer price index increased 0.5% in July, after climbing 0.9% in June.

How Higher Pay For Workers Could Contribute To High Inflation - NPR

US stock futures bounce higher after July CPI report - CNBC

@byHeatherLong: Inflation remains high at 5.4% (y/y), but the encouraging sign is monthly gains cooled in several areas. Used car prices had lowest gain since Feb. Airfare and laundry machines fell a bit in July vs June (though prices remain high) Overall CPI July gain: 0.5% June 0.9% May 0.6%

Citigroup will require employees to be vaccinated before they return to corporate offices, a move announced as part of the bank’s plans to bring workers back to in-person work in major cities, like the New York area, Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia. The bank joins various other entities and businesses instating a vaccine mandate.

Biden to Urge Businesses to Require Covid-19 Vaccine for Workers - The Wall Street Journal

Washington State Sets Vaccine Mandate for State and Health Care Workers - The New York Times

COVID vaccines to be required for military under new US plan - Associated Press

Senate Democrats moved closer to the largest expansion in decades of federal efforts to reduce poverty and protect the environment. The $3.5 trillion framework for President Joe Biden’s economic agenda passed Tuesday following the bipartisan approval of an infrastructure package a day earlier. The budget calls for tax increases on households earning more than $400,000 per year and a large tax hike on corporations.

Analysis: Investors look under the radar for winners from U.S. infrastructure bill - Reuters

@KellyMeyerNews: Budget Plan EXPLAINER HOW DID THIS ALL BREAK DOWN? Yesterday immediately after the vote on the infrastructure bill the senate started the process of passing the $3.5 trillion spending bill. This is the second part of President Biden’s infrastructure agenda: “human infra.”

Small business owners across the U.S. grew less confident in the economic recovery in July as labor shortages persist. Business owners reported expecting business conditions to fall over the next six months, as well as an increasing frustration with supply chain issues. The survey comes amid heightened concern that the delta coronavirus variant could slow sales and activity in the coming months.

Small businesses are bearing the brunt of the US labor shortage - Quartz

'Unprecedented' fraud penetrated rollout of COVID-19 small business loans, watchdog warns - ABC News

The labor shortage isn't Main Street's biggest problem - CNBC

The business discovery and review site Yelp will introduce new tools that allow businesses to communicate coronavirus-related safety measures to their customers, including whether they require proof of vaccination or that the staff is fully vaccinated. While there is currently no federal mandate for businesses to require proof of vaccination, more than a dozen large U.S. corporations recently announced vaccine mandates for workers.

Some NYC businesses fear new vaccine mandates will drive away customers - Fortune

EXPLAINER: Will we need vaccine passports to do fun things? - Associated Press

How to Show Proof of Your Covid Vaccine on Your Phone - The Wall Street Journal

"Dear CEOs: Here Are the Do’s and Don’ts for Announcing Return-to-Work Plans" - Gartner / Source: Gartner

CONTENT FACTS

Turbine Labs has tracked 21,881 media articles and blogs and 22,717 social media posts over the last 24 hours.

The next Turbine Labs Leadership briefing will be delivered on Thursday, August 12, at 9:30AM ET.

Questions or feedback? Don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.

The Senate could pass a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill as soon as Tuesday that would help boost the economy and Democrats released a $3.5 trillion budget resolution they hope to pass by the end of the week. The budget blueprint outlines social policy legislation that would be paid for by raising taxes on the wealthy, large inheritances and corporations.

Treasury yields are little changed ahead of inflation data - CNBC

Senate Democrats tee up debt ceiling standoff as McConnell vows opposition - CBS News

@ReporterGarriss: Good morning, we’re following… you guessed it - the Infrastructure bill. Here’s what we know: - Senate slated to vote at 11am/EST - $1Trillion bipartisan infrastructure package - Billions for fixing roads, bridges and airports - $$ for broadband internet, public works systems

The U.S. government tapped tech companies, including Amazon, Microsoft and Google, to bolster the country’s critical infrastructure defenses against cyber threats after a rise in high-profile attacks. Authorities from President Joe Biden to the New York Department of Financial Services have called for improvements to cyber infrastructure and compliance with cyber regulations as companies transition more aspects of their business into the digital world.

Why digital transformation is a process, not a destination - Federal Computer Week

Cmd: 74% believe threat detection is the biggest security challenge for digital transformation - VentureBeat

IT and business alignment is key to successful digital transformation - ZDNet

A rise in long-term inflation prompted consumers to expect continued price hikes, according to fresh data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Long-term inflation expectations have remained relatively stable this year, despite price gains. The survey also reported a dimmed outlook on consumers’ financial prospects over the next year as more foresee a missed debt payment or unemployment.

U.S. Inflation to Stay Hot in July as Sellers Flex Pricing Power - Bloomberg

Congressional Republicans use inflation as campaign weapon ahead of 2022 midterms - Fox Business

Airlines are under fire from consumer advocate groups, who are calling for the federal government to intervene and address complaints regarding expired credits, cancellations and customer service. Air travel dropped in July as coronavirus cases escalated, exacerbating issues for companies like Spirit Airlines which was already struggling with a surge in canceled flights. Some analysts predict the bad week may haunt airlines’ customer loyalty well into the future.

COVID's delta variant: Will airline ticket prices be affected? - Fox Business

Hawaiian Airlines is the latest carrier to mandate Covid vaccinations for staff - CNBC

The global chip shortage continues to plague tech companies, the auto industry and hobbyists with delivery times for computing devices expected to take weeks. Some experts argue that Canada should start developing semiconductors to combat the global microchip shortage, saying that the country is in the “perfect” position to meet the recent increase in demand.

Understanding the global chip shortage, a big crisis involving tiny components - Popular Science

The Chip Shortage Impacting Your Shopping Cart (And Not The Potato Kind) - Wisconsin Public Radio

@Steve_Rosenbush: “We’re seeing 10- to 12-week delivery times for laptops and computing devices,” says Sue Workman, #CIO at Case Western Reserve. “Those used to take a day or two.” CIOs grapple with the #semiconductor shortage. ⁦

"Millions of Americans Are Unemployed Despite Record Job Openings" - The Wall Street Journal / Source: Labor Department

CONTENT FACTS

Turbine Labs has tracked 17,655 media articles and blogs and 21,114 social media posts over the last 24 hours.

The next Turbine Labs Leadership briefing will be delivered on Wednesday, August 11, at 9:30AM ET.

Questions or feedback? Don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.

Oil prices fell by 4% Monday, extending last week’s losses following a dire warning on climate change. The U.N.-appointed Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change published a new report that found global warming was dangerously close to being out of control and that humans were “unequivocally” to blame.

The One Silver Lining in the Bleak IPCC Report - TIME

Recent Summer Heat Waves Offer Examples Of Climate Change Business Implications - Forbes

@HarvardHBS: Professor @nancykoehn shares her thoughts on why #business leaders are central to mitigating the global #ClimateCrisis in her latest interview with @economictimes .

There are about 1 million more job openings than people looking for work, prompting companies to entice potential workers by signing bonuses, higher salaries and flexible working arrangements. Currently, about 41% of employers surveyed said they are offering enhanced benefits, and 19% say they are offering pet insurance, a perk that is expected to rise. One HR expert cautioned an inclination toward mandating vaccines – a small but growing number – could disrupt employment retention amid the worker shortage.

Why Aren’t People Going Back to Their Jobs? - The New York Times

Amid the Labor Shortage, Robots Step in to Make the French Fries - The Wall Street Journal

Virus-free New Zealand plans border reopening amid labour shortage - Reuters

Many large banks are reshaping policies as the delta variant rattles Wall Street, but firms that led the return to towers are largely sticking to their earlier plans. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and JPMorgan Chase and Co. are still requiring employees to come back to the office most of the time, but a growing number of rivals are delaying deadlines and enacting new safety measures. Generally, large companies are not yet upending plans to return to the workplace, but a recent survey found the number of companies planning to reopen offices in Q3 has fallen.

Companies Thought They Had Plans for Fall. Now They Are Scrapping Them. - The Wall Street Journal

White House grapples with COVID-19 resurgence - The Hill

'I don't mind waiting': How employees feel about media companies' office reopening delays - Digiday

The spread of the delta variant is threatening to slow down business travel, which saw a rise in the last couple of months. Hotels and airlines reported a rise in bookings for travel in the U.S., but coronavirus case numbers have prompted experts to temper their forecasts. Less business travel can also impact leisure travel – which is generally subsidized by premium-paying travelers.

Business travel suffers setback as Covid restrictions ease - NBC News

What I Learned from a Year Without Business Trips - The Harvard Business Review

@RichardBistrong: Business travel will not recover any time soon, but so what? via @FinancialTimes Very true 👉🏼👉👉🏽 "The #pandemic has revealed how many trips were done for reasons that actually had nothing to do with #business."

As Americans return to the office en masse, some workers can expect a commute with the opportunity cost of nearly $500 each month. Full-time workers in the 10 largest U.S. cities lose an average of $5,679 annually with their commute to work, according to a new analysis. For those living and working in major metros, the average round trip commute is about 52 minutes each day. Population density and long commute times may be driven by higher earning potential – eight out of the 10 costliest commutes in the U.S. are cities with the highest median earnings.

Reshaping of Work, Commute Make 'Exurbs' the Place to Move to - Insider

Americans Are Willing to Take Pay Cuts to Never Go Into the Office Again - Bloomberg

@bopinion: Londoners want $7,128 to return to the office full time, about the price of the season ticket they use to commute with

"Who’s Really Supposed to Pay for Your Commute?" - Bloomberg / Source: Moovit

CONTENT FACTS

Turbine Labs has tracked 6,159 media articles and blogs

U.S. stock futures wavered ahead of the July monthly jobs report as investors weighed a strong set of corporate quarterly results against the potential for higher interest rates if inflation stays elevated. Employers added 943,000 jobs last month despite rising COVID-19 cases and lingering labor shortages, beating analysts' estimates by roughly 43,000.

United Airlines announced it will require all U.S. employees to be vaccinated against the coronavirus starting this fall, becoming the first major airline to do so. CNN fired three employees for violating its policy that only fully vaccinated employees work from its buildings. The incident highlighted the potential struggles employers might face if they mandate inoculations.

Amazon extended its work-from-home period until January 2022 for U.S. employees from its earlier planned return date of Sept. 7 as the delta variant pushes a surge in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. Wells Fargo delayed its return to offices from Sept. 7 to Oct. 4, noting that the bank will make further adjustments as the situation changes.

Roughly 7.5 million U.S. workers relying on pandemic-era unemployment benefits are set to lose jobless aid when the benefits expire next month. Workers drawing from the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or Pandemic Unemployment Emergency Compensation programs make up more than 72% of Americans collecting unemployment insurance. The Arkansas Senate will vote on a bill that would end federal unemployment benefits early, while an Arkansas House committee debates allowing school boards to mandate masks if a county reaches 50 infections per 10,000 residents.

A bipartisan group of House and Senate lawmakers introduced the Better Cybercrime Metrics Act, which would help the federal government better track and analyze cyber crime amid a surge in cyberattacks alongside a rise in remote work. The Cyber Security and Infrastructure Agency launched a new program to work with private businesses and government agencies to bolster the country's defenses against a rising number of cyberattacks.

Stock futures edged higher as investors considered a decline in jobless claims with data showing a widened trade deficit. Employers added 330,000 jobs at private companies, a sharp decline from the 680,000 added in June and the lowest total since February. Initial unemployment claims totaled 385,000 in the week ended July 31, down 14,000 from the prior week.

Fed Official Says Interest Rate Increases Could Be Warranted in 2023 - The New York Times

Inflation Is A Big Political Test For President Biden's Economic Agenda - NPR

Bank of England set to keep stimulus pumping despite inflation rebound - Reuters

Vanguard Group Inc. is offering $1,000 to employees that get vaccinated by October, joining other organizations offering incentives to spur workers inoculation. The Pennsylvania-based investment advisor firm is not mandating its workers get vaccinated.

Yes, employers can require workers get vaccinated—and it might help them attract top talent - CNBC

Yelp will let businesses list their vaccination policies - The Verge

The Biden administration is developing a plan to require nearly all foreign visitors to the U.S. to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The plan is part of a new system that will be in place after the current U.S. travel restrictions are lifted. Despite surging cases caused by the delta variant, European countries eased travel restrictions and U.S. Airlines are redrawing their route maps, betting business travelers will return to the skies.

Business travel is creeping back — but it will never be the same - The Washington Post

Why vaccine passports are still just a dream - Axios

Almost 4.2 million children have tested positive for coronavirus since the pandemic began and nearly 72,000 of the cases were in the last week, as of July 29. As offices and schools open up, many parents face a shortage of child care openings, creating fear and uncertainty with many opting to return to work at all.

Serious Cases Remain Rare, But Coronavirus in Children On The Rise, Too - NPR

These Fields Saw The Biggest Increase In Remote Work Opportunities - Poets and Quants

@PattyMurray: I’ve heard from moms who can’t go to job interviews due to the lack of affordable child care, or lost a paycheck because they had to care for a loved one. If we’re serious about rebuilding fairer and stronger for women, we must address these crucial issues.

The global computer-chip shortage continues to affect car makers with some executives predicting it could weigh on operations well into 2022. Despite this, General Motors posted strong second-quarter earnings but said the lingering shortage and rising commodity costs would weigh on second-half results. Vice President Kamala Harris plans to visit Southeast Asia to focus on the shortage and other supply chain troubles.

Auto Makers Warn Chip Shortage Will Continue to Impact Vehicle Production - The Wall Street Journal

@PGelsinger: Today @SenMarkKelly gave full support in reversing the global #chip shortage through his efforts in Arizona. At @Intel, we are a proud to call Arizona home and are excited to expand our footprint in the state.

"U.S. Companies Add Far Fewer Jobs Than Forecast, ADP Data Show" - Bloomberg, Aug. 4, 2021 / Source: ADP Research Institute

CONTENT FACTS

Turbine Labs has tracked 28,460 media articles and blogs and 23,048 social media posts over the last 24 hours.

The next Turbine Labs Leadership briefing will be delivered on Friday, August 6 at 9:30AM EST.

Questions or feedback? Don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.

New York City will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination at restaurants, gyms and other indoor businesses starting on Sept. 13, Mayor Bill de Blasio said. New York is the first major U.S. city to take such action amid the surge of new cases fueled by the delta variant.

New York City hospitality industry gives mixed reaction to new vaccine requirements - Fox Business

North Carolina $100 vaccine incentive locations - WCNC Charlotte

Tyson Foods and Microsoft are among the latest companies to announce vaccination requirements for employees. Most company mandates so far have been for corporate workers but employees in industries like retail, restaurants and manufacturing are largely unmandated.

Who Can Make You Get a Covid Vaccine? - The New York Times

@BobbyAllyn: Microsoft spokesperson confirms vaccine mandate and also says Microsoft is pushing full reopening date from September to October, the same time Apple, Google and Facebook are now planning a return to the office.

Roughly 1 in 3 workers said the return-to-office shift negatively impacted their mental health with workers most concerned about their physical health and safety, according to a McKinsey survey. Many Americans said they are willing to take reduced salaries, give up days off or put in more hours for a job that offers a fully remote option.

Return-to-work plans stall as September approaches - CNBC

The new office return date for some big companies? Try 2022 - CBS News

Most popular industries for hybrid work - Employee Benefit News

@SatchelPrice: I’m mostly afraid for my mental health if I’m gonna be expected to go back into an office at some point. Gonna be a lot of people, like myself, who feel like they’re never gonna be comfortable in a workspace like that ever again.

The $1 trillion Senate infrastructure bill would end a pandemic-era tax break for businesses three months early. The refundable credit offers up to $7,000 per worker per quarter in 2021. Additionally, if passed, the infrastructure bill would pull $31 billion in unobligated funds from the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program to help struggling businesses.

The infrastructure bill creates more need for workforce training - The Hill

FTC tells some businesses to merge at own risk - CNBC

$1 Trillion Infrastructure Bill Pours Money Into Long-Delayed Needs - The New York Times

White House drafts pragmatic pitch to sell infrastructure - Axios

Agencies across the federal government have failed to meet basic cybersecurity standards including systematic failures to safeguard data, according to a new Senate report. The average cost of data breaches increased 10% from last year to $4.24 million, with remote work raising the cost even higher to $4.96 million.

Hackers block Italian Covid-19 vaccination booking system in 'most serious cyberattack ever' - CNN

Reeling In Cybersecurity Risks For Executives - Forbes

@Maggie_Hassan: Cyberattacks are one of the fastest-growing threats to our national security. That's why I worked to secure $1 billion in the bipartisan infrastructure package to help state and local governments protect their online systems.

"America isn’t panicking about inflation" - Vox / Source: Vox Data for Progess

CONTENT FACTS

Turbine Labs has tracked 23,901 media articles and blogs and 21,739 social media posts over the last 24 hours.

The next Turbine Labs Leadership briefing will be delivered on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 9:30AM EST.

Questions or feedback? Don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.

Stock futures edged higher after worries of stagnant economic growth kept investors apprehensive. A strong spate of corporate earnings results helped bolster optimism amid the delta variant's rapid spread.

Reduction in Fed’s Asset Purchases Might Not Spark ‘Taper Tantrum’ - The Wall Street Journal

Big Economic Challenges Await Biden and the Fed This Fall - The New York Times

A month after President Joe Biden’s July 4th goal, the U.S. reached the milestone of 70% of American adults with at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot. While the milestone is a significant achievement for the nation, health experts say it should be seen as “a floor, rather than a ceiling.”

US Finally Reaches Biden's 70% Vaccination Goal—But These 30 States Still Haven't - Forbes

Workplace Vaccine Mandates Reveal Divide Among Workers - The New York Times

@Bob_Wachter: Alas, the surge in San Francisco, which has 70% of population fully vaccinated and 76% w/ at least one shot, illustrates that even w/ ~80% immune (giving credit for prior infections), we're not at herd immunity. Goal w/ Delta is to get immunity as high as possible. Every bit helps.

U.S. hiring slowed in July, particularly in states that ended federal unemployment benefits and in areas where the delta variant is spreading rapidly. Growth in a wide variety of industries rose 1.1% from mid-June to mid-July, half the growth rate seen between May and June.

New study finds link between small biz job growth and vaccination rates - Axios

Unemployment benefits for millions will end on Labor Day - Fortune

People Want to Work—and Unemployment Checks Aren’t What’s Stopping Them - Slate

Sony Pictures Entertainment pushed back its office return to October given the uncertainty surrounding the delta variant and to abide by changing local guidance. Major law firms around the country announced similar measures just as many hoped to be entering a relaxed phase of the pandemic.

As Delta Variant Rages, More Workers Are on Edge About Return to the Office - The Wall Street Journal

Facebook is requiring all US employees to wear masks in offices - The Verge

New York Gov. Cuomo asks private businesses to require Covid vaccination for admission - CNBC

U.S. air travel is hitting new pandemic-era highs with airlines scrambling to support summer vacationers. More than 2.2 million people went through airport checkpoints on Sunday, according to the Transportation Security Administration. However, rising coronavirus infections prompted the CDC to warn against travel to Greece, Ireland, Iran, the U.S. Virgin Islands and other destinations.

Affluent Americans are ready to spend on family, luxury travel again, Amex finds — and they're often paying with vouchers - CNBC

Flight delays on American Airlines, Spirit Airlines leave many travelers frustrated - The Washington Post

"State exits from unemployment programs help raise $53 billion for infrastructure" - CNBC, August 2, 2021 / Source: State announcements and websites

CONTENT FACTS

Turbine Labs has tracked 22,591 media articles and blogs and 18,163 social media posts over the last 24 hours.

The next Turbine Labs Leadership briefing will be delivered on Wednesday, August 4 at 9:30AM EST.

Questions or feedback? Don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.

Stock futures rose on Monday as investors anticipated the first trading day of August. Wall Street's main indexes fell on Friday following disappointing quarterly earnings from Amazon despite data that showed a strong rise in consumer spending. Stocks managed to stay stagnant on their gains through the end of July.

Heavyweight Companies Enjoy Outsize Rewards as Economy Rebounds - The Wall Street Journal

Fed's Powell bets economy will navigate new coronavirus surge - Reuters

Walmart and Walt Disney Co. introduced new measures requiring some employees be vaccinated before returning to work. Walmart, the nation's largest private employer, said vaccines will be mandatory for office workers and traveling managers but not for store and warehouse employees.

From offices to restaurants, companies are requiring proof of vaccination - CNN

Companies are already pushing their return-to-office dates to 2022—why some experts say it's a 'smart approach' - CNBC

@KristiNoem: Workers whose employers are mandating a vaccine for continued employment have the power to say no. Our robust economy and job market gives them the option to find a new employer that values personal choice and responsibility, and doesn’t force mandates on their employees.

The Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation increased by 4% in June when compared to a year earlier, with a strong demand for goods pushing prices higher and raising living costs for consumers. Inflation in the U.S. rose sharply in June with the fastest gains since 2008, and the increase remained at a 13-year high.

Two Inflationary Booms The Federal Reserve Is Ignoring - Both Are Driving Inequality And Consumer Inflation - Forbes

How the Fed Is Hedging Its Inflation Bet - The Wall Street Journal

The 15 most affordable states for millennials - CNBC

The Internal Revenue Service started delivering the fourth round of special tax refunds last week to 1.5 million taxpayers who paid taxes on unemployment benefits on 2020 tax returns, but some say they have yet to receive a payment. An estimated 13 million taxpayers are due unemployment compensation, but financial experts say those who received a tax refund should not expect a similar break on their federal taxes next filing season.

Millions Still In Line For Unemployment Tax Refunds - Forbes

Federal government doled out $783.5M in stimulus checks for prisoners - Fox News

Firearms sales have climbed throughout the coronavirus pandemic, creating an ammunition shortage in the U.S. as manufacturers struggle to keep up with demand. The shortage is impacting law enforcement agencies, people seeking protection, recreational shooters and hunters. Ammunition imports are skyrocketing to keep up with demand, but many gun stores are empty and prices keep rising.

US Sees Ongoing Spike in Gun, Ammo Sales: 'I've Never Seen Anything Like It' - Newsweek

Pandemics and protests: Unrest grips developing countries - Reuters

"Tide of U.S. Debt Set to Recede, Countering Effect of Fed Taper" - Bloomberg, August 2, 2021 / Source: U.S. Treasury Department

CONTENT FACTS

Turbine Labs has tracked 10,270 media articles and blogs and 14,466 social media posts over the last 24 hours.

The next Turbine Labs Leadership briefing will be delivered on Tuesday, August 3, at 9:30AM EST.

Questions or feedback? Don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.

Gross domestic product, the broadest measure of economic output, grew 1.6% in the second quarter of the year – up from 1.5% in the first three months of the year. European economies posted stronger than expected growth in the second quarter, but the delta variant continues to pose a risk to global economic momentum.

U.S. Stock Futures Slide After Strong Month of Gains - The Wall Street Journal

The Economy Is Stronger. These 4 Things Will Determine What Happens Next - NPR

Just short of a mandate, federal employees must now attest to being vaccinated or face strict protocols, including regular testing, masking, limits on official travel and other mitigation measures. President Joe Biden is adopting a tougher approach to ensure Americans get vaccinated after months of public service announcements.

Biden’s vaccine rule draws both cheers and resistance from federal workers - The Washington Post

These companies are insisting on Covid-19 vaccines for their employees - CNN

3 Strategies to Address Political Polarization in the Workplace - Harvard Business Review

@joncoopertweets: President Biden called on state and local governments to give $100 to people who choose to get a COVID-19 vaccine, citing research that roughly one-third of unvaccinated individuals would get a shot if offered a cash payment.

Internal documents within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state the delta variant is more contagious, more likely to break through vaccine protections and cause more severe disease than all other known versions of the virus. Updated guidance is also prompting more cities and businesses to reinstate mask mandates – Washington, D.C. will begin requiring masks indoors regardless of vaccination status, as will Disney at its theme parks in the U.S.

Wearing Masks Indoors Again? Some States Are a Vehement No. - The New York Times

How these mutations made delta the most transmissible COVID variant yet - PBS NewsHour

U.S. CDC internal report says Delta variant as contagious as chickenpox - report - Reuters

@AnnaMeiler: "A mask mandate is a safety measure. The vaccines are a solution" We spoke with a @MassGenBrigham epidemiologist about the Delta variant, the rise in cases, and new mask guidance from the CDC @wbz

LinkedIn announced employees can opt for full-time remote work, discarding the company’s expectation of returning to the office. Uber pushed its return-to-office date from September to October and told employees who wish to return to the office voluntarily that they must be vaccinated against COVID-19 starting Monday.

This is the future of remote work on Capitol Hill - Roll Call

Why Managers Fear a Remote-Work Future - The Atlantic

Startups are redirecting record amounts of funding on jobs rather than office space and instead anticipating the need for spaces to host “intermittent” company get-togethers, such as hotels or college campuses. Some companies that favor remote work have started hiring in places they hadn’t often recruited from before, resulting in the most geographically distributed tech labor force market to date.

How remote work is threatening Singapore's status as a startup hub - Fortune

Workplace of Future Is More Clubhouse Than Cubicle - Bloomberg

Stat of the day: 38% of remote workers work from bed - Axios

"‘A Wild 15 Months’: Pandemic Spurs Conversion of Offices to Labs" - The New York Times / Source: David Degner for The New York Times

CONTENT FACTS

Turbine Labs has tracked 19,628 media articles and blogs and 22,948 social media posts over the last 24 hours.

The next Turbine Labs Leadership briefing will be delivered on Monday, August 2, at 9:30AM ET.

Questions or feedback? Don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.

Reinstated mask mandates are sweeping across the country after new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that recommends masking indoors in areas with high COVID-19 cases even for people who are vaccinated. While many local leaders acted swiftly, governors in Arizona, Pennsylvania and South Carolina resisted, joining other localities in defiant and emotionally charged fights against a return to mask wearing.

House to resume mask mandate after new CDC guidance - The Hill

NYC offers $100 cash incentive to get COVID vaccine, but holds off on indoor mask mandate - NY Daily News

@travisakers: JUST IN: Broward County is defying Gov. Ron DeSantis and will have a mask mandate for its schools - The first district in Florida to announce the decision.

Twitter will shutter its reopened offices in response to the new CDC guidance, while Alphabet’s Google and Facebook said they will mandate vaccines for their U.S. employees to be able to work in-office. Ride-hailing company Lyft delayed its office reopening from September to February, while Apple announced plans to restore its mask requirement policy at most of its U.S. retail stores for customers and staff, even if they are vaccinated.

Covid vaccine mandates are on the rise. Will that move the needle? - NBC News

EXPLAINER: Employers have legal right to mandate COVID shots - Associated Press

The U.S. economy now exceeds its pre-pandemic level as measured by GDP, with an annual growth rate of 6.5% in the second quarter. While economists expect growth to remain strong, many say growth likely peaked in the second quarter and will cool as the initial boost from reopenings and fiscal stimulus fades. New jobless claims in the last week fell to 400,000.

IRS sending out another 1.5 million tax refunds to people who overpaid on unemployment benefits - CBS News

Infrastructure deal: Senate suddenly acts to take up bill - Associated Press

TV and movie production continues to face disruptions in Hollywood due to positive COVID-19 cases and uncertainty over vaccine protocols, further pushing networks and streaming services to strain for fresh content. NBCUniversal posted a 13% rise in second-quarter earnings, bolstered mostly by the return of the company’s theme parks after a year of loss.

Netflix Is the First Major Hollywood Studio To Require COVID-19 Vaccinations - IGN

Halfway through earnings season, the 'peak everything' story may need to be put on hold - CNBC

@catherine_lucey: From a Hulu comedy to “Mission: Impossible 7,” production of shows and movies is again being suspended because of Covid-19

Companies that make ice cream, tequila and bottled water have warned that they will need to keep raising prices to meet consumer demand while paying higher costs for ingredients, packaging and shipping. Nestle reversed its guidance on Thursday, forecasting a slight decline this year instead of an improvement in profitability.

Unilever's profit targets hit by inflation—expect your grocery bill to go up - Fortune

Spirits maker Diageo's sales exceed estimates on strong U.S. demand - Reuters

Inflation Has Arrived, but Washington Isn’t Racing to Limit Price Pops - The New York Times

"U.S. GDP increased at 6.5% pace in the second quarter, well below expectations" - CNBC - Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis

CONTENT FACTS

Turbine Labs has tracked 23,559 media articles and blogs and 22,623 social media posts over the last 24 hours.

The next Turbine Labs Leadership briefing will be delivered on Friday, July 30 at 9:30AM EST.

Questions or feedback? Don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.