As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc across the U.S., more and more businesses are being forced to shutter their doors. The closures have brought a massive increase in the unemployment rate, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people of color are being hit the hardest.

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In March, the number of unemployed persons rose from 1.4 million to a staggering 7.1 million. According to the federal Employment Situation Report, Black, Asian, and Hispanic/Latino workers are being hit the hardest.

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The report outlines that while the overall unemployment rose from 3.5 to 4.4%, the unemployment rate rose from 5.8 to 6.7% for Black and African-American workers, from 4.4 to 6.0% for Hispanic and Latino workers, and from 2.5% to 4.1% for Asian workers. By comparison, the unemployment rate for white workers rose from 3.1% to 4.0%.

According to the report, leisure and hospitality saw the biggest drop in employment, followed by healthcare and social assistance and professional and business services.

According to William Rodgers, chief economist at the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University, the rate of unemployment has probably worsened in the weeks since the report was released.

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Rodgers told CNN that the unemployment rate is likely 20.7% percent for Black workers and 18.7% for Hispanic and Latino workers.

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC



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H/T the Root