Like most of the world, the United States is attempting to overcome both the COVID-19 pandemic and a deep recession caused by the resulting government-ordered shutdown. At annual rates, the U.S. economy in the first quarter of 2020 and in the second quarter just ending, it by 40 percent — the steepest decline since the Great Depression.

Moreover, tens of millions of workers have lost their jobs, causing the unemployment rate to soar to a in April. And although 70 percent of those laid off say they expect to be to their jobs, not all will be, because many firms will fold, relocate or reorganize.