Everyone needs to take a deep breath. When you forcibly shut down the US economy, millions of people are going to go on unemployment insurance. Almost all of these people are not unemployed. They are not looking for work. Indeed, job search requirements for UI have been waived. https://twitter.com/hshierholz/status/1243153800455696384

Many employers were quick to "lay off" their staff so they could access UI as quickly as possible. Indeed many of these employers are still paying those workers under the table. Some businesses have gone into hibernation and will call those workers back once the shut down lifts.

The bill just passed pays small and medium businesses (which employ 42% of all Americans) 2.5 months payroll if they keep on their workers. Many of these people will be rehired by firms in order to qualify for this subsidy. The government needs to get the word out on this fast.

There is nothing particularly surprising, or indeed even alarming, in these numbers. If you are surprised, then you have not been paying attention. The job of "restaurant server" does not currently exist in the US. Restaurant servers have to wait until those jobs come back.

The bill just passed, which gives more money to UI, stimulus checks and subsidized business loans, will go a long way to easing the burden on these 3 or so million people. We don't have an economic crisis today. But we will need another stimulus bill if this goes on much longer.