Posts in Covid-19
Workforce Development Organizations: Resilient through Covid-19 and Essential for Economic Recovery

A joint report with the NYC Employment & Training Coalition provides insight into the struggles and accomplishments of the workforce development sector in the economic landscape of the past year’s job losses, dramatic shifts in patterns of work, and the unequal and disproportionate consequences the pandemic had for the most vulnerable New Yorkers, as well as highlights the various ways workforce organizations have pivoted to and developed new digital infrastructures to continue to train and connect people to employment throughout the pandemic.

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New York City’s Covid-19 Economy Will Not Snap Back

New York City lost 750,000 payroll and self-employed/independent contractor jobs on average between the months of February and December in 2020. The loss for the entire year was the worst single-year city job decline since the 1930s. The partial rebound since last spring has been called a K-shaped recovery for good reason; many in the bottom half of the economy have lost jobs or earnings and are experiencing severe housing and food insecurity, while most of those in the top half retain their jobs, and many have seen their financial assets rise in value. The city’s underemployment rate is 25 percent. This report examines the Covid-19 economic and employment impact in New York City, including the demographic and industry contours of the job market effects and how the pandemic has exacerbated wage and income inequality.

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In Covid-Era New York, Suicidal Kids Spend Days Waiting for Hospital Beds

As the Covid-19 pandemic grinds on, hospitals around New York State report a growing crisis for children who need mental health care: Suicide attempts and other psychiatric emergencies are up, inpatient units are full, and very sick kids regularly spend days in loud and crowded emergency rooms, waiting for beds to open up.

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Despite Covid-19’s Emotional Traumas, Student Mental Health Services Dry Up

When New York City released its "Bridge to School" plan in late August, officials called on teachers to make students' mental health needs their top priority. "Many of our young people are in pain,” City officials wrote.

But as students finally resume classes – remotely this week and in classrooms next – they will find that many social workers and other mental health care providers have disappeared from school budgets.

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No Cure in Sight: The Covid-19 Economic Virus in New York City As the End of Summer Approaches

This report updates the Center's ongoing examination of the Covid-19 economic impact, finding that as of early August, unemployment remains distressingly high, and the July expiration of the temporary $600 Federal supplemental weekly unemployment insurance benefit will impose deep new hardships on hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and on the entire city economy.

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The Covid-19 New York City Economy Three Months In: Reopening, and a Continuing Low-Wage Worker Recession

Since February, New York City has lost 1.25 million jobs, by far the sharpest job decline since the 1930s. To a greater extent than in previous downturns, the Covid-19-related job losses are heavily concentrated among low-wage workers, hitting persons of color, immigrants, young workers, and less educated workers the hardest. It is likely that the city could end 2020 with 500,000 to 600,000 fewer jobs than at the beginning of the year. Substantial additional federal economic assistance is needed to reduce hardships and spark more and better employment opportunities. 

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