- September 2, 2020
- Keystone Research Center
- Stephen Herzenberg, Muhammad Maisum Murtaza, and Claire Kovach
Since the spread of COVID-19 accelerated in mid-March of this year, the sharp decline in U.S. economic growth has been faster than at any previous time in recorded economic history—even the Great Depression. The first part of this decline was, in large part, deliberate—stopping non-essential work so that people could social distance at home and stem rising infection rates. The length, and now the depth, of the crisis are increasingly self-inflicted wounds—the consequence of the lack of clear and effective national policies to contain the virus and now the failure to extend the economic relief families need to pay rent, put food on the table, and cover other essentials. A central message of this report is that it matters a great deal to working people in Pennsylvania that now, and over the next several years, the nation and state adopt policies that promote a strong and just economic recovery.