More than 300,000 Michigan residents filed unemployment insurance claims last week, an unprecedented surge amid the coronavirus pandemic that has forced business closures, prompted mass layoffs and overwhelmed the state filing system.
Nationally, more than 3.2 million Americans filed for unemployment insurance benefits last week. That was more than four times the previous recorded high of 695,000 initial claims in October 1982.
It’s the biggest aid package in American history, pledging help for individuals, businesses and hospitals as much of the nation’s economy shuts down during the ongoing pandemic.
Attorney General Dana Nessel says she’s overrun with complaints about Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order, while unemployment claims burden state systems. The confusion is even causing suburban police to investigate clothing stores to ensure they’re closed.
Already gearing for a recession, Michigan faces billions of dollars in lost wages and tens of thousands of job cuts. Using maps and charts, Bridge explains how the impact of the coronavirus shutdown will vary widely by industry and maps.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered Michigan to stay home, but allowed ‘essential’ employees to keep working. Her exemptions include more than a dozen industries employing 1 million workers.