Three tech predictions for 2021 from San Francisco, the industry s troubled epicenter
The future of working from home, the urban core, and the city s largest employer.
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There’s little appetite for looking back, and 2020 is a year we’d just as soon archive. But amid the pain and sadness, some interesting trends materialized that are worth watching in the coming year.
Work from home just becomes work
Location will matter less, particularly for technology companies whose output is mostly digital. As coronavirus vaccines become available to the broader population, we’ll see some large Bay Area employers reopen their offices to those who choose to return. But more and more, it will be a choice.
FAIRFIELD-SUISUN, CALIFORNIA
Kathleen Pender: Use it or lose it: Gift cards could become worthless if the issuer goes bankrupt [San Francisco Chronicle]
Jan. 2 If you received a gift card for Christmas, first thank the giver, then use it. Fast.
Many companies that issue gift cards such as retailers, restaurants, movie theaters, gyms and spas have been hard hit by pandemic shutdowns and are closing in large numbers. The number of retailers filing for bankruptcy in 2020 was the highest since 2009, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence.
When companies go bankrupt, their gift cards can become worthless. With smaller companies, it can happen overnight. With larger companies, consumers often have a period of time to use their gift cards, but not always.
Bay Briefing: Highly contagious coronavirus strain arrives in California
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Louise Stuhmiller, 76, gets a coronavirus vaccine shot at a retirement community in Walnut Creek.Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle
Good morning, Bay Area. It’s Thursday, Dec. 31, and biologists are trying to get to the bottom of local coyote attacks. Here’s what you need to know to start your day.
Bay Briefing will be off on New Year’s Day, but we’ll return to our weekday schedule on Jan. 4.
New coronavirus variant is here
A new, highly contagious strain of the coronavirus was identified in Southern California on Wednesday. While experts say there is no evidence that the new variant causes more serious disease, its arrival was discouraging news as the most populous parts of California reported their 13th straight day of ICU shortages and the state surpassed 25,000 pandemic deaths.