Amid the uncertainty of the COVID outbreak, unemployment has reached old (not good) heights.
3.28 million Americans filed for unemployment last week as the US tries to contain Covid-19. The figure is the highest ever reported, beating the previous record of 695,000 claims filed the week ending 2 October 1982.
This release, The Guardian adds, offers the first official glimpse of the severe economic downturn that the US faces as companies shutter businesses and states across the country move to prevent people from gathering in crowds in an attempt to contain the virus. In response to the uncertain times, the Trump administration is pushing through a $2tn stimulus package that includes payments to taxpayers as well as bailouts for hard-hit industries to mitigate Covid-19’s impac. The Senate passed the largest aid package ever in an effort to help struggling American workers, businesses and hospitals during this unprecedented economic contraction. The bill includes $1,200 checks for most Americans and additional money for laid off workers, reports The Washington Post.
The death toll from coronavirus in the U.S. has surpassed 1,000. There are at least 69,000 cases nationwide.
