Coronavirus effects jobs, economy

As COVID-19 has currently closed many jobs that have affected people through all ages, teens to adults, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer took a stance to do something about all of the current people who are unemployed. Teens have been greatly affected by the closures because many teens work in restaurants, which are currently shut down for dine-in customers. This results in teens who are now out of jobs. Not all teens have been affected, because they might work the drive-through or as cooks so they are currently still able to work.

MHS senior Nayeli Ramos said that her work is shut down right now and she can’t imagine what her bosses are going through right now.

“I work in downtown Monroe at Amaya’s as a hostess. Since restaurants can’t have people dine-in, I am now temporarily unemployed,” Ramos said. “They are also a family-owned restaurant, so I can only imagine what my bosses are going through right now.”

Junior Lauren Cox said that it is frustrating to not be able to work because working gives her something to do.

“The virus shutdown has affected me because my job at Michigan Bar and Grill has made it so only the cooks come in since we are just doing take out, so I am unable to work since I’m only a host,” Cox said. “It is frustrating because however weird it sounds, I actually like working and it gives me something to do. I think people are overreacting, and it’s a big setback.”

Governor Whitmer has put out new benefits for those who are unemployed since shutdowns of many places have cost people their job.

“Access to benefits for unemployed workers will be extended: benefits will be increased from 20 to 26 weeks, the application eligibility period will be increased from 14 to 28 days, and the normal in-person registration and work search requirements will be suspended,” Whitmer said addressing the press.

Whitmer also said that employers can’t be charged for unemployment benefits from being unemployed due to an executive order.  

“Under the order, an employer or employing unit must not be charged for unemployment benefits if their employees become unemployed because of an executive order requiring them to close or limit operations,” Whitmer said.

Sam Huszczo, financial advisory and founder of SGH Wealth and Management, said that a lot of our economy will be changing due to supply chains.

“Everything else is going to have to do with supply chains. Obviously being a part of the automakers, anyone involved with sourcing from China or anything like that, that could get a lot more difficult,” Huszczo said. “But, if this does last a long time and some of that manufacturing shifts to making items in the United States again, the net result for us as citizens would be prices going up,” (WDET).

The economy and unemployment rates will still be very unpredictable as we keep going with the virus. Some have speculated that unemployment rates could drastically drop-down or that the economy, like the stock market, could decrease rapidly, but there is no way of knowing. The only thing we can be sure of is what is happening right now, and all we can do is know how to do our part and help those who may be struggling financially.