Workers suffer as virus pandemic worsens in US

(26 Mar 2020) FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus133038

Stephanie Myers is used to working hard. Until recently, she was working two serving jobs at restaurants in the Charlotte, North Carolina area.
But within hours, Myers learned she was being laid off from both jobs as dine-in services shut down across the country to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.
Nearly 3.3 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week amid a widespread economic shutdown caused by the outbreak.
That's nearly five times the previous record set in 1982.
"I've been pretty good at holding it together and I finally just broke down and cried because you have to think about what's in that bank account," Myers said. "How you're going to start paying bills?"
Myers said she's hoping to see a stimulus check arrive soon. Still, she can't help but worry about the bills piling up.
"I don't know how long it's going to go on. I just want it to be over so I can go back to working yes, two jobs and get back to my life," she said.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.
For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
The vast majority of people recover.

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