This week brought us additional news in two important areas related to business and the economy.
Employment in Missouri decreased by 305,100 jobs over the month, and by 327,800 jobs over the year, the largest one-month and one-year decreases since the current tracking began in 1990. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 9.7 percent over the month, more than doubling the previous month, and tripling over the year. While local unemployment numbers haven’t been posted yet, raw data shows the Cape Jackson MSA has lost more than 5,000 jobs since the onset of the pandemic.
The second significant item to emerge this week for business was the need to really focus on following the guidelines and recommendations from the CDC and OSHA. Lawsuits are beginning to emerge claiming certain employers are not doing enough to protect their employees and their patrons.
From the beginning of Phase One here in Missouri, our Reclaim Our Region effort and pledge have advised business owners to follow the guidelines issued by these organizations as well as the county authorities. Moving forward, this remains a critical step in assuring safety for our people and a more rapid recovery for our economy.
It is obvious we have work to do in the coming months in order to recover. The area business community must stick together, use proper procedures, and remain committed to each other and the region. And our citizens must look for ways to support our area businesses at every opportunity.
