Unemployment soars with 4,428 claims filed from Whatcom County residents last week
New unemployment insurance claims soared for the week ending March 21 as Washington state workers stayed home under Gov. Jay Inslee’s order.
The number of Whatcom residents filing for unemployment benefits totaled 4,428, according to new data from the Washington State Employment Security Department. That’s a huge jump compared to the previous week, when 238 people filed an initial claim.
Whatcom’s unemployment claims for the week were higher than those in five states, according to data collected by The New York Times. Those states with fewer claims than Whatcom last week were South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Statewide, 133,464 new claims for unemployment benefits were filed with the Employment Security Department, an increase of 119,310 new claims over the previous week. Put another away, an average of more than 19,000 people were putting in a claim each day last week. For context, the city of Port Angeles has around 19,000 people.
Given the restrictions put in place Tuesday, March 17, to slow the spread of the coronavirus, accommodations and food services industries took the brunt of the job losses statewide. Those industries had 41,309 claims, up 1,033% from the previous week. Health care and social assistance had 18,902 new claims, up 2,103%. New claims for retail was up 1,189%.
“This data shows the enormity of the situation unfolding in our state,” said Employment Security Department Commissioner, Suzi LeVine in a news release accompanying the data. “The velocity and volume of the impact of COVID-19 has created a crisis that is unprecedented in the history of the program – going back to the 1930s when it was established. To address this, I have an amazing team working hard on three very clear priorities: get benefits out more quickly to those who are eligible, expand eligibility for those who can utilize this benefit, and help employers find staff for essential jobs. The entire department is doing everything we can to meet the needs of this situation and our fellow Washingtonians.”
While an upswing in claims was not surprising, the magnitude was probably not something anyone expected, said Anneliese Vance-Sherman, a regional economist for the state.
In Whatcom County, the job losses were in similar industries as the state numbers, Vance-Sherman said.
“Restaurants and bars were directly impacted, as were schools. Other industries that require direct service to customers would have been hit by social distancing requirements,” Vance-Sherman said in an email. “The loss of at least part of the student population from (Western Washington University) would also have had an impact on the number of workers, as well as the demand for goods and services.”
The job losses in Washington and in Whatcom County are expected to keep rising in the coming weeks, particularly as the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” rules take effect. However, once this phase passes, the rehiring phase could be dramatic, said James McCafferty, co-director at Western Washington University’s Center for Economic and Business Research.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
COVID-19, the new coronavirus, is a disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2.
The disease is spread through contact between people within six feet of each other, especially through coughing and sneezing that expels respiratory droplets that land in the mouths or noses of people nearby.
Although most of the cases have been mild, the disease is especially dangerous for the elderly and others with weaker immune systems.
Click the drop-down icon in the upper right of this card for more information on symptoms and how to stop its spread.
What you can do
Here’s what you can do to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, according to the Whatcom County Health Department.
▪ Keep six feet between yourself and others when in public.
▪ Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
▪ Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth with hands that haven’t been washed.
▪ Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw the tissue in the trash and then wash your hands.
▪ Stay home if you feel sick. Avoid others who are sick.
▪ If your symptoms are severe and require medical care, call your doctor first.
This story was originally published March 26, 2020 at 10:32 AM.
