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Some disturbing economic data is coming out of the United States showing the dramatic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on workers. Last week, the number of jobless claims filed in the U.S. topped 3.2 million – an all-time high.
Wesllyne Therasse is a single mother of two. She also works as a nurse practitioner, at least she did until Monday.
"I was practicing at a private ob/gyn office in downtown Manhattan and I was laid off to do a decrease in patient volume," said Therasse.
After two and a half years of employment, she was laid off without severance. So, she applied for unemployment benefits.
She's not alone.
Last week, more than 3.2 million weekly jobless claims were filed in the United States – the highest on record. The surge was so high, it overwhelmed many of the online systems that process the claims.
"It took probably two hours for me to actually be able to fill and submit the claim because the website was very slow. It kept on freezing and crashing. So, yeah, it took about two hours," said Therasse.
The data is just another indicator of the severe economic toll of the COVID-19 outbreak on the U.S. economy.
Businesses have been shut and workers laid off as drastic measures have been taken to contain the virus.
"There's no doubt, in my mind, that we've entered into a recession – an economic contraction – and that we will probably touch back on the highs of unemployment of 10 percent that we saw during the great financial crisis and recession," said Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst at Bankrate.
As part of a two-trillion-dollar federal stimulus package, the unemployed will be given bigger checks for longer periods of time than under normal circumstances. Those who previously didn't qualify like gig workers, freelancers and contractors can now file claims.
Therasse says she will get around 600 dollars a week. It'll help, but she says it won't be enough to cover her costs.
She's applying for jobs daily.
Problem is – the kids are out of school and her parents are practicing social distancing. She doesn't have anyone to help with childcare.
"So, I'm a teacher, mom, nurse, provider – everything. I'm all of it. I mean it's a challenge," she said.
Economically, Hamrick thinks it's going to be a challenge for at least six months – maybe more.
"This is a global event and it's one that's essentially unprecedented in modern history and so we just don't have a textbook example to draw upon to say: 'Oh, this is how that goes,'" he said.
(CGTN)
