FEI Weekly

October 22, 2020

Will health passes make air travel safer? And 3 business books to add to your reading list.

Will Health Passes Make Air Travel Safer?

Market Watch

This week United Airlines will test a digital health pass as part of a global pilot program designed to accelerate a safer opening of international borders and kick-start global travel. Volunteers will have taken a COVID-19 test up to 72 hours before traveling, and logged the results from a certified laboratory on the CommonPass app on their phones. They will also use the app to complete any additional screening measures, such as a health declaration that may be required by the destination country. The app then generates a quick response code that airline staff and border officials can scan.

Google Has Been Preparing for This

Ad Week

Almost immediately after the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against Google over its alleged monopoly in search and search advertising on Tuesday, the tech giant published a blog post that characterized the lawsuit as “deeply flawed.” As a brand, Google has entered crisis communications mode. “Throughout the investigation, the company has positioned itself as a fortunate participant in a competitive marketplace that uses its massive influence to elevate and champion ‘the little guy.’ The title of the blog post seeks to identify Google with the common consumer, framing a lawsuit against Google as a detriment to consumers,” says author of PR for Dummies Eric Yaverbaum.

What Is Required to Have a PPP Loan Forgiven?

Fox Business

To have the full amount forgiven, borrowers must spend at least 60% of their loan on payroll costs and may use the remainder of the funding for other eligible costs, such as mortgage interest, rent and utilities. Borrowers should prepare to apply by gathering documents and taking stock of how much of the loan they have spent on allowable expenses, focusing especially on payroll. Borrowers may also need documentation of other eligible expenses, such as utility bills and lease agreements.

JCPenney's New Owners Reject Pension Plans

The Dallas Morning News

JCPenney filed drafts of its sale agreements Tuesday, saying it had made significant progress toward its planned exit from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late November. The company also disclosed for the first time that the new owners of the 118-year-old department store chain will turn over Penney’s defined benefit pension plan to the federal program that insures it. Other retiree medical and life insurance benefits were also rejected under the sale agreement.

3 Business Books to Add to Your Reading List

Inc

Now that Fall is here, pick up a couple of these titles and curl up to enjoy the cooler weather with a book that's bound to make you think. 1. No Filter by Sarah Frier is the 'definitive inside story of Instagram,' 2. No Rules Rules by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer is a deep dive into the unique and much discussed culture at Netflix, and 3. Reimagining Capitalism: How Business Can Save the World by Rebecca Henderson attempts to outline how making a profit can be reconciled with a healthier society and a healthier earth.