PEP Magazine Issue #5

Page 13

8

ECONOMICS

Controversies Surrounding Covid-19 Unemployment Relief Programs

by: Mishal Khan

The sudden spread of the coronavirus within America beginning in February 2020 has pushed millions of Americans out of work and left hundreds of businesses in financial crisis or complete bankruptcy. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, employment during February 2021 in America decreased by over 8 million from the employment rates recorded in February 2020. Moreover, minimum wage workers, immigrants, and Americans with lower levels of education have been affected the most, often getting laid-off or having to look for new employment opportunities due to employers closing down their businesses. In response, congress passed The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, better known as the CARES act, leading to former President Trump’s decision to officially sign the act on March 27th, 2020. This act offered over two-hundred billion dollars worth of


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.