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An Unemployment Crisis During Covid 19- in Louisiana and Beyond
This piece was originally published by Big Easy Magazine on September 1st, 2020.
“New Orleans is slowly bleeding to death. I don’t know how much longer my job will be able to continue leaking.”
It’s a desperate statement, from a New Orleanian on Twitter, that’s all too familiar to those who depend on businesses being open, and life returning to some semblance of normal, in order to make a living during a global pandemic. For these people, working from home isn’t an option and they’re dependent on the few government resources available to feed their families, and survive, in a crisis that no one could have predicted.
When the Covid 19 pandemic caused the shutdown of non-essential businesses, including live music venues, theaters and bars, it was originally believed to be temporary. Now, more than 5 months in, with no real end in sight, many New Orleans businesses are still shuttered, with some unlikely to return. Those who work in those businesses, especially those in the hospitality and gig industry, are struggling.
On August 18th, Governor Edwards announced that $375 million of FEMA federal disaster assistance will aid those in Louisiana who are unemployed due to Covid 19. Sam Karlin of The Advocate, reported that 400,000 laid-off workers will be able to tap…
