I'd have thought with so many people on severance and no work, some people will contribute even more to open sources while grinding up for next job too.
I know this is intended as a sarcastic comment, but this is a real reason why we as a society would benefit from UBI
Contributing to open source can help you land interviews. I did not read that as sarcasm.
I contribute to open source the most when I'm between jobs. I generally enjoy doing it a lot, and I'd like to more, but... Family, job, wanting to be away from a screen... It's not really doable when I'm employed.
I contribute a lot to open source, and it pays off less than you think, and is often only appreciated by people who also contribute, which is a minority.