Covid Recovery Dashboard
How has the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted Workers in the Pioneer Valley?
The COVID-19 worldwide pandemic has had a devastating impact on the physical and mental health of people throughout the world, including here in Western Massachusetts and nationwide. The impact of the pandemic goes well beyond its health impacts (documented regionally here by the Public Health Institute of Western MA). As a result of an extensive shutdown of the Massachusetts economy, many workers were either furloughed or laid off, facing new levels of financial stress, uncertainty and vulnerability. While workers of Color were disproportionately impacted, facing higher rates of unemployment, they were also disproportionately those remaining on the job as essential workers.
This Labor Market presentation is the first of what will be several COVID-19 Recovery Dashboards, intended to inform the residents, leaders, and policy-makers of the Pioneer Valley of the ongoing challenges created by, or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic recession. A series of thematic presentations—focusing on impacts on child care, mental health, regional businesses, food and hunger, and our social safety nets—will provide insights that will guide efforts to build a robust, equitable economy that enables our residents and communities to thrive.