To avoid layoffs, companies can use work sharing programs that would reduce the hours of employees but keep them on payroll. Through work sharing, companies would save the same money they would through layoffs, while employees would keep their benefits and set up the national workforce for when the economy gets returns to normal, according to Sharon Block and Terri Gerstein.

Being agile is crucial for ballet dancers and it's also crucial for business leaders, writes Jennifer Jordan, former dancer and professor of leadership and organizational behavior at IMD. "I see many of the characteristics that are required in ballet transferring to the executive suite: core strength, ability to change focus quickly, extreme flexibility and range of motion, and knowing where you want to go," she writes.

A leader's optimism and confidence can calm the rest of the team, but it isn't always enough to support all employees, writes Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic. A leader's competence and skills are the most important factor in a team's well-being, and should be prioritized during a crisis, despite what might be more comforting for workers.

You can't control external events, but you can control your mindset, how you engage with people and how focused you are. "When the chaos of uncertainty hits, leaders have a responsibility to even out the tone by being a voice of reason and not adding to the blame narrative," writes Marlene Chism.

Prepare leaders for a crisis by making sure leadership expectations are clear when people are hired and development programs focus on relevant skills, writes Duc V. Trang, managing director at Major, Lindsey & Africa. "By understanding how good leadership -- at its core -- essentially is the same during moments of crisis or during periods of business as usual, organizations and companies can make better decisions on whom they hire and how to train current and future leaders," Trang writes.

Tax Analysts chief economist Martin Sullivan estimates the federal government will directly subsidize more than half of the US workforce. As much as 60% of that subsidy will come to workers through their employers, according to the $2 trillion coronavirus relief package passed last month.

A theatrical performance of "Fleabag" is set to be streamed on Amazon, with all of the proceeds going to charities helping people cope with the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. The stream is a recording of a 2019 performance with the lead played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who has since retired from playing the role on-stage.