Unemployment is soaring to levels not seen since the Great Depression — with one in six American workers put out of a job by the coronavirus pandemic.
In all, roughly 26 million people have filed jobless claims in the last five weeks, federal data released Thursday shows.
More than 80 million people have received direct deposits worth up to $1,200 from the feds — but the next round of payments could take up to 20 weeks to arrive.
Daily updates straight to your inbox:
Get the latest developments on the coronavirus straight to your inbox by signing up for our special edition newsletter.
Here’s what else we learned today:
New York crisis:
- A new study found that one in five Big Apple residents tested for virus antibodies had them — and some 2.7 million people could have been exposed to the contagion statewide. That means the true number of cases in the Empire State could be much greater than the reported 263,000.
- Thinking of flying into the city? Read this troubling account from an airline passenger, and then reassess.
Nursing homes:
- Nursing homes have become the hotspots of the pandemic — with at least 10,000 coronavirus-linked deaths across the country reported at the facilities.
- New York — the state with the highest tally of deaths — launched a probe into whether nursing homes are complying with safety orders.
- The move followed widespread criticism of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s handling of the facilities, including claiming Wednesday that “it’s not our job” to provide them with safety gear.
In Washington:
- The House voted on a $484 billion aid package to replenish a small business loan program and provide funding for testing and hospitals.
- But lawmakers are divided over whether to wear masks on the House floor.
Gone but not forgotten:
- New Jersey soulmates who were married for more than 20 years succumbed to the virus less than two weeks apart.
- The wife of a man who died of COVID-19 after dismissing it as a “political plot” spoke of her heartbreak that he didn’t live long enough to change his mind.
- An FDNY firefighter is grieving the tragic loss of his 5-month-old daughter to the virus.
See AlsoWidow of man who labeled coronavirus a ‘political ploy’ speaks out
Sports tonight:
- The NFL Draft 2020 on Thursday night may be unlike any other before it because of the pandemic. Here’s how to watch and The Post’s complete list of picks.
- Someone should tell Tom Brady. The future Hall of Fame quarterback appears to be turning into the embodiment of the “Florida man” meme, with this latest bungle.
Some good news…
- A Long Island mom awoke from a coronavirus-induced coma to find she’d given birth.
- Hoda Kotb officiated an Arizona couple’s wedding via Zoom.
- And a new study found that the virus isn’t transmitted through sex.
Comments
Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy