Empty parking lots and closed businesses have become increasingly common because of workers being laid off or furloughed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Researchers from the University of Pacific say unemployment numbers could reach record-high rates in California by May.The Center for Business Policy and Research at UOP estimates the loss of 1.25 million jobs in Northern California alone and 3.6 million across the state.The coronavirus outbreak could lead to almost 20% unemployment in California by May.“It’s unprecedented. Higher even than the previous Great Recession. We’re forecasting unemployment statewide at about 18.8%,” said Thomas Pogue, Director of Business Policy and Research at UOP. “Even though it’s scary to be informed rather than uninformed, at least with best of our knowledge and trying to get information out there so people can plan and try to address the challenges that are ahead of us,” Pogue said. Although unemployment is expected to go up, some places in the Central Valley are still hiring. Amazon reported hiring 1,500 employees at the Tracy and Patterson fulfillment centers. Amazon is continuing to hire due to the high demand for goods and delivery. Congressman Josh Harder said he has received a number of questions from residents about unemployment.“We’ve already seen tens of millions of unemployment claims,” he said. “We’ve gone from 26 weeks of unemployment in California to 40 weeks. That’s a long time, almost a full year. And then we’ve also been able to increase the size of the benefits by $600 a week, which is a real start. So I think the folks just really want to understand how quickly we can process these claims and how quickly can they get the benefits they need.”Harder will host a coronavirus digital town hall meeting on his Facebook page Friday at 2 p.m. He is expected to talk about the economic support for workers and families and answer questions on unemployment and stimulus checks.

Empty parking lots and closed businesses have become increasingly common because of workers being laid off or furloughed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Researchers from the University of Pacific say unemployment numbers could reach record-high rates in California by May.


The Center for Business Policy and Research at UOP estimates the loss of 1.25 million jobs in Northern California alone and 3.6 million across the state.

The coronavirus outbreak could lead to almost 20% unemployment in California by May.

“It’s unprecedented. Higher even than the previous Great Recession. We’re forecasting unemployment statewide at about 18.8%,” said Thomas Pogue, Director of Business Policy and Research at UOP.

“Even though it’s scary to be informed rather than uninformed, at least with best of our knowledge and trying to get information out there so people can plan and try to address the challenges that are ahead of us,” Pogue said.

Although unemployment is expected to go up, some places in the Central Valley are still hiring.

Amazon reported hiring 1,500 employees at the Tracy and Patterson fulfillment centers. Amazon is continuing to hire due to the high demand for goods and delivery.

Congressman Josh Harder said he has received a number of questions from residents about unemployment.

“We’ve already seen tens of millions of unemployment claims,” he said. “We’ve gone from 26 weeks of unemployment in California to 40 weeks. That’s a long time, almost a full year. And then we’ve also been able to increase the size of the benefits by $600 a week, which is a real start. So I think the folks just really want to understand how quickly we can process these claims and how quickly can they get the benefits they need.”

Harder will host a coronavirus digital town hall meeting on his Facebook page Friday at 2 p.m.

He is expected to talk about the economic support for workers and families and answer questions on unemployment and stimulus checks.