This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
Coronavirus Hitting Younger, Less Educated Workers Hardest
(Tim Boyle/Getty Images)
California's unemployment rate may now be at a whopping 20%. That's the estimate of a new study from the California Policy Lab that analyzed about a month's worth of unemployment claims during the pandemic.
Younger and less educated workers have been disproportionately affected. That's in part because a lot of them work retail and food industry jobs, many of which have been lost because of the outbreak. One out of every three people working in hotels or food services applied for benefits.
The health care industry has not been immune. It saw the third highest number of claims in recent weeks.
In the three-week period from March 22 to April 11, California saw 2.6 million unemployment claims.
The highest three-week total during the Great Recession was fewer than 300,000.
READ OUR FULL REPORT:
Study Estimates 1 In 5 Californians Have Applied For Unemployment
Sponsored message
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
