In a lengthy interview withÂ
Portland Monthly, Desi Thonis, an employee at Oregonâs COVID-19-born Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, says she believes inefficient leadership in the program caused tens of thousands of self-employed Oregonians to go without any income for months after the state closures of businesses in March. We interviewed dozens of self-employed Portlanders who were all trying to fight through the problems to get the money they were owed and needed.
At last count, Oregon had over 360,000 small businesses, according to state estimates, many of which have shuttered or seen their profits drastically drop as the coronavirus pandemic spreads. And many were counting on their insurance policies to see them through. But an investigation byÂ
These Bay Area residents found new careers during the pandemic - by choice or necessity
Samantha Nobles-Block
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Among the many many Bay Area residents who have decided to shift careers during the the COVID-19 pandemic are, from left, Bryan Garza, Isabella Hill and Jeff Hester.From left: Bryan Garza; Paul Chinn / The Chronicle; Claire Hester
As the shifting quicksand of the COVID-19 pandemic has upended our lives, many Bay Area residents, by choice or necessity, have undergone a professional metamorphosis. For some, jobs disappeared with the shutdowns. Others saw a chance to make their side hustle full time. And some have seized the opportunity to pursue a dream that might otherwise have never seen the light of day. The Chronicle spoke with people who made a pandemic-induced professional pivot about why they made the leap, what they miss about their former lives and what they think their future holds.