Coronavirus case surge hindering economic recovery
| An omicron-driven surge of COVID-19 is hindering the economic recovery from the pandemic.
The swift, record-shattering spike in coronavirus cases has dampened consumer activity, spurred layoffs and forced millions of Americans out of work to take care of themselves or a sick family member. Private sector data on dining and travel, rising weekly jobless claims, widespread staffing issues and school closures are all pointing to dismal January job gains and slower first quarter growth. While economists say the omicron variant will not derail the economy as a whole, millions of frontline workers, working parents and service sector businesses are staring down another brutal pandemic winter. |
