The coronavirus emergency relief package, which became law yesterday, gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off work because of the coronavirus, the New York Times reported. It is the first time the U.S. has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of coronavirus. Most workers at small and midsize companies can get the paid leave, as can government employees, as long as they’ve been employed at least 30 days.
