As the COVID-19 pandemic spread globally in early 2020, it triggered unprecedented economic upheaval across the United States. By May, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the unemployment rate had soared to 14.9 percent, the highest recorded level since the Great Depression in the 1930s. This spike in unemployment was primarily driven by the sudden shutdown of businesses, particularly in sectors such as hospitality, leisure, retail, and travel, which were heavily impacted by social distancing measures and state-mandated lockdowns. Millions of workers found themselves furloughed or laid off as companies struggled to stay afloat amidst dwindling revenues and consumer demand.The economic repercussions of the pandemic were compounded by a series of stimulus measures introduced by the federal government, including enhanced unemployment benefits and direct payments to individuals. The stark statistics revealed a grim reality: as of May 2020, over 20 million jobs had been lost in a matter of months, contributing to a rapid economic decline. Wage growth stagnated, and many businesses faced permanent closure. Economists and policymakers were compelled to devise strategies to manage the fallout and prepare for recovery as the nation navigated an uncertain economic landscape compounded by social and political issues around health disparities and access to resources.