Episode Notes: Economics Amidst a Pandemic1. Introduction:

• A snapshot of America during the COVID-19 pandemic: desolate streets, closed businesses, and skyrocketing unemployment.

2. Focus of the Episode:

• Deep dive into the study by Iris Arbogast and Bill Dupor analyzing America's employment landscape during the pandemic.

3. Government's Immediate Response:

• Introduction of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC).
• PUA: Extending safety nets to those traditionally overlooked, such as artists and gig workers.
• FPUC: Providing an additional $600 weekly to those who lost their jobs.

4. The Conundrum:

• Speculations arise: Were the gen ...