BRUSSELS (AP) — As both COVID-19 cases and unemployment rise across Europe, governments and the European Union are trying to cushion the violence of the economic shock with schemes to avoid layoffs. More than one million European citizens have lost their jobs over the past two weeks as the continent entered a lockdown phase, with schools shut down, businesses closing their offices and economies brought to a near standstill. That is still far less than the U.S., and highlights Europe’s focus on trying to avoid layoffs. On Thursday, the EU’s executive Commission unveiled a 100 billion-euro plan designed to help companies not to fire employees during the crisis.
