May unemployment numbers are again bad news and we are still seeing the impact from the coronavirus. 2.123 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits in the week ending May 23, exceeding economists’ expectations for 2.1 million initial jobless claims. The prior week’s figure was revised higher to 2.446 million from 2.438 million jobless claims. Over the past 10 weeks, more than 40 million Americans have filed for unemployment insurance. In the week ending May 23, California reported the highest number of jobless claims at an estimated 212,000 on an unadjusted basis, down from 244,000 in the previous week. New York had 192,000, down from 224,000. Florida reported 174,000 and Georgia had roughly 164,000 jobless claims. It will be interested to see how these numbers change as the states have begun opening up their economies. Georgia is one to keep a very close look on.
If you don’t mind sharing, please share your story if you have recently lost your job, but you were able to get unemployment benefits.