Record Unemployment Caused By COVID-19 Slowdown

coronavirus lockdown causes economic standstill

Public health officials have advised against handshakes, and urge social distancing practices of maintaining a space of six feet (roughly 1.8 meters) from other strangers in public. Markets and stores around the world have marked the floors with tape representing the distance this represents in real life.

The economic effects of this slowdown have been significant, and the past quarter alone has seen a record number of applicants for unemployment insurance. Indeed over 20 million applicants have filed for unemployment insurance benefits in Spring 2020, setting an all-time record for the U.S. – how has closing the economy protected public health? What factors could make it easier for communities to start to trust that they can re-open?

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