Lockdowns Soften, Unemployment Filings Decrease as People Return to Work

An additional 1.9 million Americans filed for unemployment last week, bringing the total unemployed Americans to 42 million. However, the number of new unemployment filings have generally decreased week-over-week since states started lifting their COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic lockdowns. The national unemployment rate for May is reportedly expected to hit or exceed 20 percent. Left-rated and center-rated outlets predominantly concentrated on the impact of the CARES Act, as well as reports of some reopened businesses discriminating against employees hesitant to return to work. Coverage from right-rated outlets focused more on the issue of some workers receiving more money on unemployment than if they were to work. Some voices throughout the spectrum renewed calls for Universal Basic Income.