Virus Pushes US Joblessness Near Depression Levels

Unemployment in the US has swelled to levels last seen during the Great Depression of the 1930s, with one in six American workers thrown out of a job by the coronavirus.

More than 4.4 million laid-off workers applied for unemployment benefits last week, the government said on Thursday. In all, roughly 26 million people - more than the population of the six biggest US cities combined - have now filed for jobless aid in five weeks, an epic collapse that has raised the stakes in the debate over how and when to lift the state-ordered stay-at-home restrictions that have closed factories and other businesses from coast to coast.

The House of Representatives was set to give its seal of approval to the latest stimulus bill, which would add nearly US$500 billion in fresh relief funds for devastated small businesses and overwhelmed hospitals.

That builds upon the massive US$2.2 trillion CARES Act stimulus measure passed in late March.

The new bill under consideration would provide another US$320 billion in funding for a depleted program to aid small businesses, along with US$75 billion for hospitals, US$25 billion to expand virus testing and US$60 billion in disaster recovery loans and grants.

More than 200 lawmakers were to attend the session to ensure a quorum, and only small groups were allowed to enter the chamber at a time. Many wore face masks.

President Trump has said he will sign it into law. (AFP, AP)