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3.3 million seek US jobless aid, nearly 5 times earlier high

John Locher/AP

People wait in line for help with unemployment benefits at the One-Stop Career Center, Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Las Vegas. Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation and its partner organizations, like the One-Stop Career Center, have seen an increase in traffic due to the coronavirus. (AP Photo/John Locher)

3.3 million seek US jobless aid, nearly 5 times earlier high

By: The Associated Press

Posted at 2:54 PM, Mar 26, 2020

and last updated 2020-03-26 19:03:13-04

WASHINGTON (AP) — A record-high number of people applied for unemployment benefits last week as layoffs engulfed the United States in the face of a near-total economic shutdown caused by the coronavirus.

The surge in weekly applications for benefits far exceeded the previous record set in 1982.

Layoffs are sure to accelerate as the U.S. economy sinks into what most economists expect to be deep and painful recession.

Revenue has collapsed at restaurants, hotels, movie theaters, gyms and airlines. Auto sales are plummeting, and car makers have closed factories.

Most such employers face loan payments and other fixed costs, so they're forced to cut jobs to save money.

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3.3 million seek US jobless aid, nearly 5 times earlier high

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