Loosing a fully paying job is never preferable to unemployment in the US.

E.g. “ If you are eligible to receive unemployment, the weekly benefit rate in Indiana is 47% of your average weekly wage (to come up with your average weekly wage, divide your total wages during the base period by 52). The weekly benefit rate is subject to a minimum of $50 and a maximum of $390. You may receive benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks.”

But it could be a temporary thing. Service workers can be laid off temporarily and hired back. Essentially offloading them from the company's payroll and adding them to the states'. Instead, if there's an option for states to provide unemployment without actually getting fired - disability? - for anyone affected not just those with the virus could also help in these times.

There are a ton of businesses that operate on thin margins - restaurant and service industry in general - and it makes sense for the government to step in.

>Loosing a fully paying job is never preferable to unemployment in the US.

Is that what I said? No, it's not.

Unemployment now covers coronavirus.

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/coronavirus/what-to-do-if-yo...

Unfortunately, I don't think part-time employees can collect unemployment. I'm guessing part-timers were the most effected, since that includes most restaurant workers.

That probably varies by state. In California your UI payout is determined by your average W2 income over the past six(?) months. Front of house workers would be covered, but may be at a disadvantage due to tips.

A reduction in hours can qualify you for unemployment insurance.

How? Unemployment is limited to half your pay.

My charitable read would be to append: "... so they don't have to risk being infected at this time."

A less charitable read is also quite possible.

Many service workers are getting a lot less money per hour worked than before because they're tip-based.

A lot of employees also just lost their childcare as schools and day-cares closed. Getting half-pay and being free to take care of your children could be preferable to getting half- or even 80%-pay while having to find and pay a babysitter for the time you're still working.

Also, to add to your point, most service workers don't get sick leave, so it's not just the risk of being infected -- if you get sick, you don't get paid. Unemployment still pays sick people.

Not necessarily. Colorado's is something like 80% of your weekly compensation (I think the math looks at the average of the last 20 weeks of employment).

Hm, true, I guess I neglected to remember that unemployment is a state-managed program.