Six Months In, the Shape(s) of the Economic Crisis
Before the coronavirus spread widely, about six million people were unemployed in the United States. Soon after the pandemic hit, that number swelled rapidly. The unemployment rate in April was the highest it had been since the Great Depression. Through the summer, unemployment slowly but steadily improved, as people returned to work. But while September’s jobs report showed continued gains, there are still about twice as many people out of work now than before the pandemic.
Six months after the first coronavirus shutdowns went into effect across the United States, unemployment data is painting a picture of how quickly — or not — the economy is recovering from pandemic job losses.
Before the coronavirus spread widely, about six million people were unemployed in the United States.
Soon after the pandemic hit, that number swelled rapidly. The unemployment rate in April was the highest it had been since the Great Depression.