© 2023 KLCC

KLCC
136 W 8th Ave
Eugene OR 97401
541-463-6000
klcc@klcc.org

Contact Us

FCC Applications
Oregon's Willamette Valley seen from Eugene
NPR for Oregonians
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations

Pandemic Dramatically Upends Oregon's Employment Numbers

NearEmptyStreets.jpg
Brian Bull
/
KLCC

“Devastating.”  That’s how Oregon’s Employment Economist describes April’s unemployment figures.

Gail Krumenauer says the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly taken a toll on Oregon’s workforce.

“In a month’s time, we went from a near record low unemployment rate of 3.5 percent to the highest unemployment rate we’ve ever seen.  As of April, it is 14.2 percent," explains Krumenauer.  

"And that is truly unprecedented.  In just a month’s time, a quarter of a million jobs were either temporarily or permanently lost in the state.”

No sector of Oregon’s economy saw gains in April.  1 out of 2 jobs in leisure and hospitality were lost.

Krumenauer says she can’t speculate on whether easing of pandemic restrictions will mean better figures for May.

Copyright 2020, KLCC.

Brian Bull joined the KLCC News Team in June 2016. In his 25+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (19 regional), the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
Related Content