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| Minority Workers Who Lagged in a Boom Are Hit Hard in a Bust | Minority Workers Who Lagged in a Boom Are Hit Hard in a Bust |
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| When Illinois shut down businesses to slow the spread of the coronavirus in March and the state’s unemployment system jammed from the overload, Bridget Altenburg, chief executive of a Chicago-based nonprofit group, visited one of the organization’s work force centers. Two things stood out: the sheer number of people lined up to apply for unemployment benefits, and how few faces were white. | When Illinois shut down businesses to slow the spread of the coronavirus in March and the state’s unemployment system jammed from the overload, Bridget Altenburg, chief executive of a Chicago-based nonprofit group, visited one of the organization’s work force centers. Two things stood out: the sheer number of people lined up to apply for unemployment benefits, and how few faces were white. |
| “The thing that struck me was how un-diverse it was,” Ms. Altenburg said. “All people of color. Latino, African-American, and the stories I heard were just gut wrenching. People went to work Monday morning and the doors were closed and they were told to go get unemployment.” | “The thing that struck me was how un-diverse it was,” Ms. Altenburg said. “All people of color. Latino, African-American, and the stories I heard were just gut wrenching. People went to work Monday morning and the doors were closed and they were told to go get unemployment.” |
| Black Americans have always had a more difficult time in the job market. The latest evidence arrived Friday when the government reported that 21 million Americans were unemployed in May. Though the jobless rate for whites dipped, to 12.4 percent, the rate for African-Americans inched up to 16.8 percent, meaning that nearly 1.4 million black men and nearly 1.7 million black women were part of the labor force but without work. The Hispanic jobless rate improved from April but was 17.6 percent. | Black Americans have always had a more difficult time in the job market. The latest evidence arrived Friday when the government reported that 21 million Americans were unemployed in May. Though the jobless rate for whites dipped, to 12.4 percent, the rate for African-Americans inched up to 16.8 percent, meaning that nearly 1.4 million black men and nearly 1.7 million black women were part of the labor force but without work. The Hispanic jobless rate improved from April but was 17.6 percent. |
| Hiring prospects for African-American and Latino workers have long been hobbled by factors that stretch from poorer educational options and lopsided incarceration rates to outright discrimination by employers. | Hiring prospects for African-American and Latino workers have long been hobbled by factors that stretch from poorer educational options and lopsided incarceration rates to outright discrimination by employers. |
| Even last year, as the national jobless rate fell below 4 percent to its lowest level in half a century, the rate for black men in Illinois was nearly 10 percent. African-Americans also earn less, are quicker to be laid off, are slower to be rehired and are less likely to be promoted. Historically, the black unemployment rate is twice that of whites. | Even last year, as the national jobless rate fell below 4 percent to its lowest level in half a century, the rate for black men in Illinois was nearly 10 percent. African-Americans also earn less, are quicker to be laid off, are slower to be rehired and are less likely to be promoted. Historically, the black unemployment rate is twice that of whites. |
| Even before the pandemic, most clients at Ms. Altenburg’s group, the National Able Network, were black or Latino. “It doesn’t surprise me,” she said of the disparities she witnessed during a recent visit to another work force center, in Omaha. “But it makes me angry, and it makes me tired.” | Even before the pandemic, most clients at Ms. Altenburg’s group, the National Able Network, were black or Latino. “It doesn’t surprise me,” she said of the disparities she witnessed during a recent visit to another work force center, in Omaha. “But it makes me angry, and it makes me tired.” |
| As Jerome H. Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve, explained at a news conference in April, “Unemployment has tended to go up much faster for minorities, and for others who tend to be at the low end of the income spectrum.” The coronavirus pandemic has only amplified the problem. | As Jerome H. Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve, explained at a news conference in April, “Unemployment has tended to go up much faster for minorities, and for others who tend to be at the low end of the income spectrum.” The coronavirus pandemic has only amplified the problem. |
| “Everyone is suffering here,” Mr. Powell added. “But I think those who are least able to bear it are the ones who are losing their jobs, and losing their incomes and have little cushion to protect them in times like that.” | “Everyone is suffering here,” Mr. Powell added. “But I think those who are least able to bear it are the ones who are losing their jobs, and losing their incomes and have little cushion to protect them in times like that.” |
| The current economic crisis has struck black and Latino families particularly hard in several ways. They are more likely to work in the service industries that were the first to be hit by layoffs, and less likely to work in white-collar jobs that can be done safely from home. They have, on average, significantly less in savings to help them weather a period of unemployment, and are less likely to have families with the resources to help out. | The current economic crisis has struck black and Latino families particularly hard in several ways. They are more likely to work in the service industries that were the first to be hit by layoffs, and less likely to work in white-collar jobs that can be done safely from home. They have, on average, significantly less in savings to help them weather a period of unemployment, and are less likely to have families with the resources to help out. |
| Since the pandemic, fewer than half the blacks who are 16 and older have a job. Latino unemployment rates are higher than any other racial or ethnic group. | Since the pandemic, fewer than half the blacks who are 16 and older have a job. Latino unemployment rates are higher than any other racial or ethnic group. |
| Minorities also had a harder time taking advantage of government support efforts — less likely to have computers to file for unemployment benefits and less likely to have bank accounts, slowing the time it took to receive government stimulus checks or making it harder for small-business owners to apply for emergency loans. | Minorities also had a harder time taking advantage of government support efforts — less likely to have computers to file for unemployment benefits and less likely to have bank accounts, slowing the time it took to receive government stimulus checks or making it harder for small-business owners to apply for emergency loans. |
| “Stark inequalities that existed and were exacerbated by the Great Recession have been further exacerbated by the pandemic,” said Ray Boshara, director of the Center for Household Financial Stability at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. “The level of financial fragility is much higher.” | “Stark inequalities that existed and were exacerbated by the Great Recession have been further exacerbated by the pandemic,” said Ray Boshara, director of the Center for Household Financial Stability at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. “The level of financial fragility is much higher.” |
| Different challenges face those who have hung on to their jobs as part of the nation’s essential work force or in frontline occupations in health care and social services, at grocery and drugstores, in public transit and trucking, and in warehouses and cleaning services. | Different challenges face those who have hung on to their jobs as part of the nation’s essential work force or in frontline occupations in health care and social services, at grocery and drugstores, in public transit and trucking, and in warehouses and cleaning services. |
| Minority women are more likely than any other group to be part of the large underpaid work force that has been deemed necessary to keep the country cared for and fed. | Minority women are more likely than any other group to be part of the large underpaid work force that has been deemed necessary to keep the country cared for and fed. |
| Still, the lives of these workers are insufficiently valued and appreciated, said Rhonda Vonshay Sharpe, an economist and the president of the Women’s Institute for Science, Equity and Race in Mechanicsville, Va. “It’s not the workers who are essential — it’s the jobs that are essential,” she said, pointing to the long delays in getting proper protective equipment and taking other lifesaving measures. | Still, the lives of these workers are insufficiently valued and appreciated, said Rhonda Vonshay Sharpe, an economist and the president of the Women’s Institute for Science, Equity and Race in Mechanicsville, Va. “It’s not the workers who are essential — it’s the jobs that are essential,” she said, pointing to the long delays in getting proper protective equipment and taking other lifesaving measures. |
| “It suggests that the workers are expendable,” Ms. Sharpe said. “What we’re more concerned about is that the job is getting done.” | “It suggests that the workers are expendable,” Ms. Sharpe said. “What we’re more concerned about is that the job is getting done.” |
| That partly explains why black Americans have suffered a disproportionate share of coronavirus deaths. | That partly explains why black Americans have suffered a disproportionate share of coronavirus deaths. |
| “One of the reasons that African-Americans and Latinos are more affected is we are in those jobs,” said Stephanie James, who had been taking care of a woman with dementia. “We are the bus drivers, we are the people who pick up your groceries, we are the people who work in the stores, we are all of those folks.” | “One of the reasons that African-Americans and Latinos are more affected is we are in those jobs,” said Stephanie James, who had been taking care of a woman with dementia. “We are the bus drivers, we are the people who pick up your groceries, we are the people who work in the stores, we are all of those folks.” |
| Ms. James, who lives in a suburb of Washington, is now out of a job. So are two of her three siblings and many of her neighbors. She has underlying health issues, and nearly all of the available jobs seem too risky. | Ms. James, who lives in a suburb of Washington, is now out of a job. So are two of her three siblings and many of her neighbors. She has underlying health issues, and nearly all of the available jobs seem too risky. |
| “I am scared to death of coming back to work,” she said. “I don’t think I should have to make the choice between having a livelihood and having a life.” | “I am scared to death of coming back to work,” she said. “I don’t think I should have to make the choice between having a livelihood and having a life.” |
| [How do you feel about going back to work? Share your story.] | [How do you feel about going back to work? Share your story.] |
| Ms. James knows that a spate of joblessness, especially during an economic downturn, can have a lifelong impact. She spent 13 years working for a government contractor, rising up the ranks, before losing her job in 2010. Ms. James was unemployed for six months before she took a job at a grocery store to get by. She eventually got back into her field, but has not found the kind of steady work she enjoyed before the last recession. | Ms. James knows that a spate of joblessness, especially during an economic downturn, can have a lifelong impact. She spent 13 years working for a government contractor, rising up the ranks, before losing her job in 2010. Ms. James was unemployed for six months before she took a job at a grocery store to get by. She eventually got back into her field, but has not found the kind of steady work she enjoyed before the last recession. |
| Updated July 7, 2020 | |
| The coronavirus can stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale, mounting scientific evidence suggests. This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may help explain super-spreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants. It’s unclear how often the virus is spread via these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech. Aerosols are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings, according to Dr. Marr and more than 200 other experts, who have outlined the evidence in an open letter to the World Health Organization. | |
| 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. |
| Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles. | Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| The pattern is familiar — blacks tend to be out of a job longer than whites. | The pattern is familiar — blacks tend to be out of a job longer than whites. |
| “What we saw with the Great Recession was that it took much longer for black and Latino workers and black and Latino households to recover from that recession,” said Valerie Wilson, an economist at the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute who was a co-author of a recent report on the impact of the virus on black workers. “And in fact some would argue that we didn’t see a recovery for those communities until the last three years.” | “What we saw with the Great Recession was that it took much longer for black and Latino workers and black and Latino households to recover from that recession,” said Valerie Wilson, an economist at the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute who was a co-author of a recent report on the impact of the virus on black workers. “And in fact some would argue that we didn’t see a recovery for those communities until the last three years.” |
| Owning a business or being self-employed has not insulated African-Americans from the pandemic’s economic fallout, because they are often concentrated in personal service activities, running barbershops and beauty shops that have had to close so as not to become sources of infection. | Owning a business or being self-employed has not insulated African-Americans from the pandemic’s economic fallout, because they are often concentrated in personal service activities, running barbershops and beauty shops that have had to close so as not to become sources of infection. |
| The next wave of the crisis could hit one of the underpinnings of the black middle class: state and local government jobs. Even as other sectors recorded some gains last month, an additional 571,000 state and local government employees, many of them teachers, lost their jobs. | The next wave of the crisis could hit one of the underpinnings of the black middle class: state and local government jobs. Even as other sectors recorded some gains last month, an additional 571,000 state and local government employees, many of them teachers, lost their jobs. |
| In April, there were nearly a million job losses, and economists say many more are expected as the collapse in tax revenue ripples through statehouses and city halls. | In April, there were nearly a million job losses, and economists say many more are expected as the collapse in tax revenue ripples through statehouses and city halls. |
| African-Americans — particularly women — are disproportionately employed in those positions, said Christian E. Weller, an economist at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, who wrote a report on the systemic obstacles facing black job seekers for the Center for American Progress. | African-Americans — particularly women — are disproportionately employed in those positions, said Christian E. Weller, an economist at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, who wrote a report on the systemic obstacles facing black job seekers for the Center for American Progress. |
| “You don’t get rich, but these are stable jobs with good benefits,” he said, “and there isn’t anything comparable.” | “You don’t get rich, but these are stable jobs with good benefits,” he said, “and there isn’t anything comparable.” |
| The loss of a job is particularly devastating for black and Hispanic workers because a paycheck is often the sole lifeline. Even those with a comfortable income may have little to fall back on. For every $1 of wealth that a white household has, a black one has 10 cents. | The loss of a job is particularly devastating for black and Hispanic workers because a paycheck is often the sole lifeline. Even those with a comfortable income may have little to fall back on. For every $1 of wealth that a white household has, a black one has 10 cents. |
| “In more normal times, blacks who are working full time have a lower median level of wealth than whites who are unemployed,” said William A. Darity Jr., a public policy professor at Duke University. “And blacks who have a college degree who are heads of households have a median net worth about two-thirds of white heads of households who never finished high school.” | “In more normal times, blacks who are working full time have a lower median level of wealth than whites who are unemployed,” said William A. Darity Jr., a public policy professor at Duke University. “And blacks who have a college degree who are heads of households have a median net worth about two-thirds of white heads of households who never finished high school.” |
| At this point, most employers and employees are assuming that jobs will return. But there are signs that many layoffs will be permanent. | At this point, most employers and employees are assuming that jobs will return. But there are signs that many layoffs will be permanent. |
| Freddy Wiggins was laid off from his job as a customer service representative at Neiman Marcus in Washington during the first week in April. “The assumption was that once this is over, we’ll go back to business as usual,” he said, adding that he was paid his final weeks of salary and any owed vacation time and sick leave. | Freddy Wiggins was laid off from his job as a customer service representative at Neiman Marcus in Washington during the first week in April. “The assumption was that once this is over, we’ll go back to business as usual,” he said, adding that he was paid his final weeks of salary and any owed vacation time and sick leave. |
| A month later, the retailer filed for bankruptcy protection. He got a form letter soon after, explaining the bankruptcy process, but he doesn’t know what it means for his job. “I have no clue,” he said. “I haven’t heard anything from them.” | A month later, the retailer filed for bankruptcy protection. He got a form letter soon after, explaining the bankruptcy process, but he doesn’t know what it means for his job. “I have no clue,” he said. “I haven’t heard anything from them.” |
| “It’s one of the scary things about this whole situation,” he added. “When it’s over, you still don’t know if things will fall into place.” | “It’s one of the scary things about this whole situation,” he added. “When it’s over, you still don’t know if things will fall into place.” |