{"id":2724,"date":"2020-03-30T10:00:36","date_gmt":"2020-03-30T17:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sandiegonewsdesk.com\/?p=2724"},"modified":"2020-03-30T13:42:29","modified_gmt":"2020-03-30T20:42:29","slug":"san-diego-feeling-the-economic-implications-of-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sandiegonewsdesk.com\/?p=2724","title":{"rendered":"San Diego Feeling the Economic Implications of COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written by Michael Palomba<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The number of people who filed for unemployment last week skyrocketed to 3.3 million, the highest in the country\u2019s history.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, San Diego is not immune to the economic effects of COVID-19, and so far nearly 6,000 San Diegans have been laid off. According to <\/span>San Diego Workforce Partnership<\/span><\/a>, that number could be 60 times higher.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

From the agency’s website: \u201cAs a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing required to prevent its spread, workers in seven of the ten occupations with the most jobs in San Diego County are at high risk of immediate layoffs, reduced hours and\/or long-term displacement. In the first three days of partial closures (March 16-18), Californians submitted 190,000 unemployment insurance claims\u2014more than quadruple the weekly average\u2014and the March 19 statewide order to shelter in place will bring more layoffs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The agency also mentions that if people lose their jobs in the short term, without any relief, they will stop spending money\u2014which will further disrupt the economy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To bring some relief, President Trump signed a $2.2 trillion stimulus bill<\/a> on Friday. The bill, among other things, will provide $1,200 to individuals and $2,400 to couples\u2014under the income thresholds of $75,000 and $150,000, respectively. The legislation does phase out the cash relief once an individual filer has an income of $99,000, or $198,000 for a couple. In addition, it will drastically increase unemployment benefits to a maximum of $600 per week for four months.<\/span><\/p>\n

Relief isn’t exclusive to the federal level, as San Diego elected officials are trying, too. The San Diego City Council just recently passed a moratorium<\/a> on evictions\u2014as did<\/a> the County Board of Supervisors\u2014and several local officials are trying to get residents an emergency extension<\/a> on property tax payments.<\/span><\/p>\n

On Tuesday, The Great American Takeout Day, San Diego City Councilman Chris Cate reminded San Diegans to support local businesses and strengthen the community.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Today is #GreatAmericanTakeoutDay<\/a>. There are ~76K restaurants in CA, accounting for 1.8+ million jobs. D6 showed our support for this industry: In-N-Out, @McDonalds<\/a>, @PaneraBread<\/a>, @Jerseymikes<\/a>, 40N Pho & Grille, @CotijasTacoShop<\/a>, Chris Ono Grinds Island Grill, & @PoncesSince69<\/a>. pic.twitter.com\/wVNYkt73GJ<\/a><\/p>\n

— Chris Cate (@chrisjcate) March 25, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n