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| Falling Jobless Rate Could Imperil Aid Underpinning the Recovery | Falling Jobless Rate Could Imperil Aid Underpinning the Recovery |
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| WASHINGTON — A $3 trillion burst of economic assistance from the federal government has fueled a faster-than-expected rebound in hiring amid the coronavirus pandemic. That bounce suggests the economy is slowly healing, but it could also encourage Republican lawmakers to shut off some aid to people and companies prematurely, undermining that very recovery. | WASHINGTON — A $3 trillion burst of economic assistance from the federal government has fueled a faster-than-expected rebound in hiring amid the coronavirus pandemic. That bounce suggests the economy is slowly healing, but it could also encourage Republican lawmakers to shut off some aid to people and companies prematurely, undermining that very recovery. |
| The surprise news that the economy added 2.5 million jobs in May, with unemployment dropping to 13.3 percent, emboldened congressional Republicans who have been reluctant to extend expensive jobless benefits and small-business loans. Many economists, in stark contrast, said the rebound was predicated on federal aid and pleaded with Congress not to relent on spending that has helped keep workers employed and bolstered consumer spending amid a swift and steep recession. | The surprise news that the economy added 2.5 million jobs in May, with unemployment dropping to 13.3 percent, emboldened congressional Republicans who have been reluctant to extend expensive jobless benefits and small-business loans. Many economists, in stark contrast, said the rebound was predicated on federal aid and pleaded with Congress not to relent on spending that has helped keep workers employed and bolstered consumer spending amid a swift and steep recession. |
| Republicans have acknowledged that some sort of legislation addressing the impact of the pandemic is likely. But the numbers released Friday, aides said, vindicated their reluctance to pursue another large, sweeping package. Instead, lawmakers are looking to a more limited measure that would include new spending and focus on reopening state economies. | Republicans have acknowledged that some sort of legislation addressing the impact of the pandemic is likely. But the numbers released Friday, aides said, vindicated their reluctance to pursue another large, sweeping package. Instead, lawmakers are looking to a more limited measure that would include new spending and focus on reopening state economies. |
| “As Senate Republicans have made clear for weeks, future efforts must be laser-focused on helping schools reopen safely in the fall, helping American workers continue to get back on the job, and helping employers reopen and grow,” Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, said in a statement. | “As Senate Republicans have made clear for weeks, future efforts must be laser-focused on helping schools reopen safely in the fall, helping American workers continue to get back on the job, and helping employers reopen and grow,” Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, said in a statement. |
| In the details of the jobs report, and in other real-time economic data that has piled up in recent weeks, many economists saw evidence of existing federal assistance programs weaving a net to stop the economy from falling deeper into contraction. | In the details of the jobs report, and in other real-time economic data that has piled up in recent weeks, many economists saw evidence of existing federal assistance programs weaving a net to stop the economy from falling deeper into contraction. |
| More than half of the net job gains for May — 1.4 million — came in food and drinking establishments, which had shed more than six million jobs in the previous two months. Restaurants and bars have benefited from states lifting restrictions on economic activity, but in May, they saw a surge in funding from the $660 billion Paycheck Protection Program, which offers loans to small businesses that can be forgiven if workers are retained or rehired. | More than half of the net job gains for May — 1.4 million — came in food and drinking establishments, which had shed more than six million jobs in the previous two months. Restaurants and bars have benefited from states lifting restrictions on economic activity, but in May, they saw a surge in funding from the $660 billion Paycheck Protection Program, which offers loans to small businesses that can be forgiven if workers are retained or rehired. |
| By mid-May, according to the Census Bureau, three-quarters of small businesses in the food and beverage sector reported receiving a loan from the Paycheck Protection Program, up from less than half in late April. Funding grew to similar levels for businesses in the health care industry, including dental offices, which added 245,000 jobs in May despite what appeared to be relatively little increase in the demand for dentist appointments during the virus outbreak. | By mid-May, according to the Census Bureau, three-quarters of small businesses in the food and beverage sector reported receiving a loan from the Paycheck Protection Program, up from less than half in late April. Funding grew to similar levels for businesses in the health care industry, including dental offices, which added 245,000 jobs in May despite what appeared to be relatively little increase in the demand for dentist appointments during the virus outbreak. |
| “The best interpretation I have for this right now is that when we had the April report, virtually none of the stimulus had gone out by the reference week,” said Ernie Tedeschi, an economist at Evercore ISI in Washington. “Now we’ve had a full month of fiscal support. I think part of the recovery is due to that.” | “The best interpretation I have for this right now is that when we had the April report, virtually none of the stimulus had gone out by the reference week,” said Ernie Tedeschi, an economist at Evercore ISI in Washington. “Now we’ve had a full month of fiscal support. I think part of the recovery is due to that.” |
| Many Republicans took the jobs report as evidence that the economy was roaring back as states reopen and was unlikely to need another large dose of stimulus. | Many Republicans took the jobs report as evidence that the economy was roaring back as states reopen and was unlikely to need another large dose of stimulus. |
| “Despite being told by experts and naysayers the opposite would happen, America’s unemployment rate fell and our economy is adding jobs by the millions,” said Senator Kevin Cramer, Republican of North Dakota. “There’s more work to be done, but the recovery begins today.” | “Despite being told by experts and naysayers the opposite would happen, America’s unemployment rate fell and our economy is adding jobs by the millions,” said Senator Kevin Cramer, Republican of North Dakota. “There’s more work to be done, but the recovery begins today.” |
| The official Twitter account for Senate Republicans posted a triumphant video with the message “Weeee’re baaaack!!!” on Friday afternoon and a Senate Finance Committee spokesman said the numbers were a sign that Congress “should not rush to pass expensive legislation paid for with more debt.” | The official Twitter account for Senate Republicans posted a triumphant video with the message “Weeee’re baaaack!!!” on Friday afternoon and a Senate Finance Committee spokesman said the numbers were a sign that Congress “should not rush to pass expensive legislation paid for with more debt.” |
| That victory lap has many economists worried that Congress could short-circuit the recovery by not renewing enhanced unemployment benefits and refilling aid to small businesses when it runs out. | That victory lap has many economists worried that Congress could short-circuit the recovery by not renewing enhanced unemployment benefits and refilling aid to small businesses when it runs out. |
| “It is astonishing to me that the unemployment rate is still higher than it was at any point in the Great Recession and we’re talking about removing support,” said Martha Gimbel, manager of economic research at Schmidt Futures. “The fact that we’re willing to declare victory and head home is terrifying to me.” | “It is astonishing to me that the unemployment rate is still higher than it was at any point in the Great Recession and we’re talking about removing support,” said Martha Gimbel, manager of economic research at Schmidt Futures. “The fact that we’re willing to declare victory and head home is terrifying to me.” |
| Democrats, who have pushed for hundreds of billions of dollars in state and local aid in a bill the House passed last month, seized on the jobs report to urge more spending, pointing to it as the reason for the nascent rebound. | Democrats, who have pushed for hundreds of billions of dollars in state and local aid in a bill the House passed last month, seized on the jobs report to urge more spending, pointing to it as the reason for the nascent rebound. |
| “The May jobs report shows that decisive action by Congress to support small businesses and workers can make a strong difference in our economy,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California said in a statement. “But with more than 100,000 Americans tragically dead, 21 million still out of work and state and local budgets collapsing, now is the worst possible moment to take our foot off the gas.” | “The May jobs report shows that decisive action by Congress to support small businesses and workers can make a strong difference in our economy,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California said in a statement. “But with more than 100,000 Americans tragically dead, 21 million still out of work and state and local budgets collapsing, now is the worst possible moment to take our foot off the gas.” |
| The federal government’s impact can be seen clearly in the May jobs report, which reflects the steady flow of aid measures like additional unemployment insurance, small-business loans and one-time direct payments of up to $1,200 each to low- and middle-income individuals. | The federal government’s impact can be seen clearly in the May jobs report, which reflects the steady flow of aid measures like additional unemployment insurance, small-business loans and one-time direct payments of up to $1,200 each to low- and middle-income individuals. |
| Practically none of the federal government’s coronavirus response funding had been disbursed as of the April jobs report’s survey week, but about $800 billion in unemployment insurance, small-business loans and stimulus payments had been sent out by the time the May data was fully collected, Mr. Tedeschi’s analysis showed. That could have helped increase hiring in hard-hit industries like retail, which posted a partial rebound. | Practically none of the federal government’s coronavirus response funding had been disbursed as of the April jobs report’s survey week, but about $800 billion in unemployment insurance, small-business loans and stimulus payments had been sent out by the time the May data was fully collected, Mr. Tedeschi’s analysis showed. That could have helped increase hiring in hard-hit industries like retail, which posted a partial rebound. |
| Some of the job gains appear to have come from economies “reopening” across states like Texas and Georgia, which moved in early May to allow some patrons back to restaurants, retailers and other establishments that had been shuttered during the pandemic. But real-time economic data suggests loosened restrictions do not alone explain the hiring increase. | Some of the job gains appear to have come from economies “reopening” across states like Texas and Georgia, which moved in early May to allow some patrons back to restaurants, retailers and other establishments that had been shuttered during the pandemic. But real-time economic data suggests loosened restrictions do not alone explain the hiring increase. |
| Updated June 22, 2020 | Updated June 22, 2020 |
| A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. | A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. |
| The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. | The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| 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. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. |
| 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.) |
| 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. |
| Small-business data from Homebase, which provides scheduling and time management software for small businesses, shows no direct link between when states lifted restrictions and how quickly activity has returned. Small-business hiring has increased across states regardless of their pace of reopening, though states that imposed lockdowns early fell to lower levels of employment before their rebounds began. | |
| Republicans continued to urge restraint on another legislative response to the pandemic, but lawmakers acknowledged that they are likely to have to tweak programs in the coming weeks, including how to address the expiration of additional unemployment benefits in July. President Trump signed one such piece of legislation on Friday, allowing small businesses more time and flexibility to spend the funds allocated under the Paycheck Protection Program, and Republican senators have said they hope to put forward legislation that would ensure additional technical changes to the law. | Republicans continued to urge restraint on another legislative response to the pandemic, but lawmakers acknowledged that they are likely to have to tweak programs in the coming weeks, including how to address the expiration of additional unemployment benefits in July. President Trump signed one such piece of legislation on Friday, allowing small businesses more time and flexibility to spend the funds allocated under the Paycheck Protection Program, and Republican senators have said they hope to put forward legislation that would ensure additional technical changes to the law. |
| Several economists said businesses would need more than tweaks — they will need additional money, as restaurants adjust to smaller crowds, movie theaters remain closed and hotels reduce capacity. | Several economists said businesses would need more than tweaks — they will need additional money, as restaurants adjust to smaller crowds, movie theaters remain closed and hotels reduce capacity. |
| “Almost three months into the economic crisis, many small businesses are in a fragile state,” said Adam Ozimek, chief economist at Upwork. “We need more spending focused specifically on helping small businesses.” | “Almost three months into the economic crisis, many small businesses are in a fragile state,” said Adam Ozimek, chief economist at Upwork. “We need more spending focused specifically on helping small businesses.” |
| One politically volatile factor that could restrain the recovery going forward is the dire condition of state and local governments, which shed employees rapidly in May, the Labor Department’s report showed. | One politically volatile factor that could restrain the recovery going forward is the dire condition of state and local governments, which shed employees rapidly in May, the Labor Department’s report showed. |
| Government employment over all fell by 585,000 positions in May, the report showed, with the bulk of that coming from local governments. Localities cut 487,000 jobs in May, with about 310,000 of those coming in education. | Government employment over all fell by 585,000 positions in May, the report showed, with the bulk of that coming from local governments. Localities cut 487,000 jobs in May, with about 310,000 of those coming in education. |
| Those losses are expected to mount in coming months as states and local governments confront large shortfalls in tax revenues that could force them to cut deeply into school, public safety and other budgets, unless the federal government supplies aid to fill in the holes. In the recession following the 2008 financial crisis, state and local layoffs continued for years into the recovery and held back consumer spending and growth. | Those losses are expected to mount in coming months as states and local governments confront large shortfalls in tax revenues that could force them to cut deeply into school, public safety and other budgets, unless the federal government supplies aid to fill in the holes. In the recession following the 2008 financial crisis, state and local layoffs continued for years into the recovery and held back consumer spending and growth. |
| The Federal Reserve chair, Jerome H. Powell, has warned that state and local job losses could weigh on the economy’s eventual recovery. | The Federal Reserve chair, Jerome H. Powell, has warned that state and local job losses could weigh on the economy’s eventual recovery. |
| “May marked the beginning of the long road back for the labor market,” Sophia Koropeckyj, managing director at Moody’s Analytics, wrote in an analysis following the report. Based on Moody’s projections, “the U.S. will not return to its pre-Covid-19 employment level until the end of 2022.” | “May marked the beginning of the long road back for the labor market,” Sophia Koropeckyj, managing director at Moody’s Analytics, wrote in an analysis following the report. Based on Moody’s projections, “the U.S. will not return to its pre-Covid-19 employment level until the end of 2022.” |
| One Republican who both celebrated the jobs numbers and expressed an openness to more congressional action was Mr. Trump. In a Rose Garden speech where he declared the economy was taking off like “a rocket ship,” he praised the earlier economic rescue packages and suggested more could be on the way, though not necessarily the type of direct aid that economists say will be needed. | One Republican who both celebrated the jobs numbers and expressed an openness to more congressional action was Mr. Trump. In a Rose Garden speech where he declared the economy was taking off like “a rocket ship,” he praised the earlier economic rescue packages and suggested more could be on the way, though not necessarily the type of direct aid that economists say will be needed. |
| “We’re set up to do more if we want,” Mr. Trump said, adding he would favor tax cuts for companies and investors and a tax deduction for business meals meant to help restaurants. Those proposals have long been floated by the White House, but so far, Congress has shown little interest in embracing them. | “We’re set up to do more if we want,” Mr. Trump said, adding he would favor tax cuts for companies and investors and a tax deduction for business meals meant to help restaurants. Those proposals have long been floated by the White House, but so far, Congress has shown little interest in embracing them. |