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| Coronavirus Layoff Surge Overwhelms Unemployment Offices | Coronavirus Layoff Surge Overwhelms Unemployment Offices |
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| The best place to get a job right now might be the unemployment office. | The best place to get a job right now might be the unemployment office. |
| In Washington State, where the coronavirus outbreak found its first foothold in the United States, officials are trying to fill multiple positions processing jobless claims. | In Washington State, where the coronavirus outbreak found its first foothold in the United States, officials are trying to fill multiple positions processing jobless claims. |
| “Due to the temporary closure of some businesses here in Washington State we are anticipating the need for additional staffing,” according to the job posting, which promises interviews next week. | “Due to the temporary closure of some businesses here in Washington State we are anticipating the need for additional staffing,” according to the job posting, which promises interviews next week. |
| It’s only the start of what will be a hiring boom by these government offices, which have been running on skeleton crews after years of historically low unemployment. Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts and Nebraska have also posted openings. Texas said it was trying to add people, too. | It’s only the start of what will be a hiring boom by these government offices, which have been running on skeleton crews after years of historically low unemployment. Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts and Nebraska have also posted openings. Texas said it was trying to add people, too. |
| With the coronavirus pandemic triggering layoffs in industries from restaurants to retail — the Department of Labor said on Thursday that claims for jobless benefits surged 33 percent last week — states are about to be inundated. And their unemployment offices, long hindered by lumbering technology and bare-bones staffing, are already groaning under the weight. | With the coronavirus pandemic triggering layoffs in industries from restaurants to retail — the Department of Labor said on Thursday that claims for jobless benefits surged 33 percent last week — states are about to be inundated. And their unemployment offices, long hindered by lumbering technology and bare-bones staffing, are already groaning under the weight. |
| From New Jersey to Texas to Oregon, the newly jobless have tried to file claims, only to run into glitchy websites and clogged phone lines. | From New Jersey to Texas to Oregon, the newly jobless have tried to file claims, only to run into glitchy websites and clogged phone lines. |
| Ryan Connolly was laid off by video chat on Tuesday from his job on a software development project for RDK Truck Sales & Service in Tampa, Fla. Within a few hours, he was on the county website trying to figure out unemployment benefits but couldn’t get past the first link. Every time he clicked, the loading wheel would circle interminably. | Ryan Connolly was laid off by video chat on Tuesday from his job on a software development project for RDK Truck Sales & Service in Tampa, Fla. Within a few hours, he was on the county website trying to figure out unemployment benefits but couldn’t get past the first link. Every time he clicked, the loading wheel would circle interminably. |
| “My heart just dropped, and I realized that I’m definitely not the only one scrambling here,” he said. | “My heart just dropped, and I realized that I’m definitely not the only one scrambling here,” he said. |
| It was obvious the site was overwhelmed by the volume, said Mr. Connolly, who is worried about his wife and two young daughters. They were on his health insurance. | It was obvious the site was overwhelmed by the volume, said Mr. Connolly, who is worried about his wife and two young daughters. They were on his health insurance. |
| “As soon as I saw that, I realized that it was just going to be a nightmare,” he said. | “As soon as I saw that, I realized that it was just going to be a nightmare,” he said. |
| He kept trying on Tuesday. It didn’t get better. “I’ve given up,” he said Wednesday. | He kept trying on Tuesday. It didn’t get better. “I’ve given up,” he said Wednesday. |
| Help is on the way. A stimulus bill that President Trump signed into law on Wednesday provides $1 billion in emergency grants to states for unemployment insurance, and fully half could be immediately used to strengthen staffing, technology and other administrative costs. | Help is on the way. A stimulus bill that President Trump signed into law on Wednesday provides $1 billion in emergency grants to states for unemployment insurance, and fully half could be immediately used to strengthen staffing, technology and other administrative costs. |
| The need is urgent. In Colorado, the number of unemployment benefit claims went from 400 on March 9 to 3,900 on Monday and then 10,000 on Wednesday. In Connecticut, there were 2,500 claims last week, but more than 40,000 from Friday evening until Wednesday evening. The number of requests in Ohio jumped to 78,000 this week from 6,500 two weeks ago. | The need is urgent. In Colorado, the number of unemployment benefit claims went from 400 on March 9 to 3,900 on Monday and then 10,000 on Wednesday. In Connecticut, there were 2,500 claims last week, but more than 40,000 from Friday evening until Wednesday evening. The number of requests in Ohio jumped to 78,000 this week from 6,500 two weeks ago. |
| Maryland said that its website and call centers were experiencing “an unprecedented volume” of requests. The state’s division of unemployment insurance said it was extending its call center hours, working to increase its network’s bandwidth and asking claimants and employers to email. | Maryland said that its website and call centers were experiencing “an unprecedented volume” of requests. The state’s division of unemployment insurance said it was extending its call center hours, working to increase its network’s bandwidth and asking claimants and employers to email. |
| New York’s online application system crashed as it tried to accommodate a spike in volume that resembled the surge after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. By noon on Tuesday, the state labor department had received more than 21,000 calls, compared with 2,000 a week earlier. Visits to its website more than doubled. The department is now extending its hours and staggering filing times alphabetically by last name. | New York’s online application system crashed as it tried to accommodate a spike in volume that resembled the surge after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. By noon on Tuesday, the state labor department had received more than 21,000 calls, compared with 2,000 a week earlier. Visits to its website more than doubled. The department is now extending its hours and staggering filing times alphabetically by last name. |
| Delta Vasquez, 22, spent several hours trying to slog through Oregon’s unemployment claims portal on Monday night after she was laid off from her hosting position at Bamboo Sushi in Portland. She and her co-workers got the news by email after the state moved to restrict bars and restaurants to takeout and delivery. | Delta Vasquez, 22, spent several hours trying to slog through Oregon’s unemployment claims portal on Monday night after she was laid off from her hosting position at Bamboo Sushi in Portland. She and her co-workers got the news by email after the state moved to restrict bars and restaurants to takeout and delivery. |
| Ms. Vasquez tried calling the unemployment office instead, but the line rang and eventually disconnected without sending her to voice mail. She tried online again, but the site was confusing — it has operating hours, and stops accepting new claims at 10 p.m. on weekdays. | Ms. Vasquez tried calling the unemployment office instead, but the line rang and eventually disconnected without sending her to voice mail. She tried online again, but the site was confusing — it has operating hours, and stops accepting new claims at 10 p.m. on weekdays. |
| Ms. Vasquez restarted the online claims process twice before managing to fill out the necessary forms. “If you’re not working, you can’t save money,” she said. “The only resource is unemployment insurance.” | Ms. Vasquez restarted the online claims process twice before managing to fill out the necessary forms. “If you’re not working, you can’t save money,” she said. “The only resource is unemployment insurance.” |
| Even when unemployment was stable and low, state employment offices were “threadbare,” said Andrew Stettner, a senior fellow with the Century Foundation, a public policy research group. | Even when unemployment was stable and low, state employment offices were “threadbare,” said Andrew Stettner, a senior fellow with the Century Foundation, a public policy research group. |
| Updated June 5, 2020 | |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
| Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. | Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| State unemployment insurance programs rely on federal grants to pay for the administration of benefits, but those costs have been cut by 30 percent over the past two decades, he said. | State unemployment insurance programs rely on federal grants to pay for the administration of benefits, but those costs have been cut by 30 percent over the past two decades, he said. |
| Part of the reason for low staffing: Unemployment office head counts are pegged to the unemployment rate, which had reached historic lows before the pandemic hit. | Part of the reason for low staffing: Unemployment office head counts are pegged to the unemployment rate, which had reached historic lows before the pandemic hit. |
| Even in normal times, unemployment offices struggled with busy signals and website problems, said Julia Simon-Mishel, a supervising attorney in the unemployment compensation unit at Philadelphia Legal Assistance. “So we expect there to be issues with the website and phone lines across the country now.” | Even in normal times, unemployment offices struggled with busy signals and website problems, said Julia Simon-Mishel, a supervising attorney in the unemployment compensation unit at Philadelphia Legal Assistance. “So we expect there to be issues with the website and phone lines across the country now.” |
| Further complicating matters are the outdated systems most offices use. Pennsylvania is partway through a technology overhaul, but “a lot of states are still operating on their old mainframe computer systems that are most likely not set up for remote access,” Ms. Simon-Mishel said. | Further complicating matters are the outdated systems most offices use. Pennsylvania is partway through a technology overhaul, but “a lot of states are still operating on their old mainframe computer systems that are most likely not set up for remote access,” Ms. Simon-Mishel said. |
| At the same time, some states are undertaking emergency measures to expand and speed up workers’ access to benefits. Montana officials said that people forced by employers to stay home, or who are quarantined or caring for a family member with coronavirus, can qualify for benefits. Wisconsin, where nearly half of job center locations are closed because of the outbreak, loosened rules that require claimants to actively search for work. Arkansas, California, Virginia and other states have waived the waiting period before workers can receive aid. | At the same time, some states are undertaking emergency measures to expand and speed up workers’ access to benefits. Montana officials said that people forced by employers to stay home, or who are quarantined or caring for a family member with coronavirus, can qualify for benefits. Wisconsin, where nearly half of job center locations are closed because of the outbreak, loosened rules that require claimants to actively search for work. Arkansas, California, Virginia and other states have waived the waiting period before workers can receive aid. |
| But that still requires applicants to get through the front door. | But that still requires applicants to get through the front door. |
| Desperate, many laid-off employees began requesting donations and posting links to their GoFundMe, Venmo and Cash accounts. The website for one charity group was overrun with people hoping to apply for its bartender emergency assistance program. | Desperate, many laid-off employees began requesting donations and posting links to their GoFundMe, Venmo and Cash accounts. The website for one charity group was overrun with people hoping to apply for its bartender emergency assistance program. |
| Eilís Godfrey, 27, learned on Sunday night that the restaurant where she worked as a server in Los Angeles was closing its doors. She and her colleagues gathered in a back room, usually reserved for private parties, to watch the city’s mayor, Eric Garcetti, who ordered the closing of many businesses and said dine-in service at restaurants must stop. The spin studio where she worked the front desk also closed that night. | Eilís Godfrey, 27, learned on Sunday night that the restaurant where she worked as a server in Los Angeles was closing its doors. She and her colleagues gathered in a back room, usually reserved for private parties, to watch the city’s mayor, Eric Garcetti, who ordered the closing of many businesses and said dine-in service at restaurants must stop. The spin studio where she worked the front desk also closed that night. |
| On Monday, Ms. Godfrey tried to apply for unemployment benefits, but realized that she needed to gather her pay stubs, tax return and other information. On Tuesday, she could no longer get access to California’s unemployment benefits site, and couldn’t get through on the phone, either. | On Monday, Ms. Godfrey tried to apply for unemployment benefits, but realized that she needed to gather her pay stubs, tax return and other information. On Tuesday, she could no longer get access to California’s unemployment benefits site, and couldn’t get through on the phone, either. |
| So she went back to her computer, where, she said, she spent hours “just refreshing the page.” | So she went back to her computer, where, she said, she spent hours “just refreshing the page.” |
| Patricia Cohen contributed reporting. | Patricia Cohen contributed reporting. |