Older workers are facing fewer job prospects and higher COVID risks - PBS NewsHour

[question everything]

Judy Woodruff:

The COVID relief bill passed by Congress will provide urgent help to many around the country. But the size of the aid is smaller than many economists say is needed. And millions still struggle to find full-time work. For many older Americans who've lost their jobs, prospects are especially dim, their savings ever more eaten away.

Economics correspondent Paul Solman looks at what they are facing.

It's part of our series on older workers, Unfinished Business.

James Mogey:

Well, at 75, it's difficult to persuade people to take you on.

Donna Rushing:

You know, I lost my home and my job.

Victoria Taylor:

I haven't worked since May. And it's been hard.

Celia Stevens:

I have about $250 in my checking account, and I have $100 in savings.


Donna Rushing:

I did start taking antidepressants.

James Mogey:

My COPD has gotten worse. There's a limited amount of stuff I can do before I have to take a break,

(snip)


Paul Solman:

Latest numbers, almost a million people 55-plus out of work for half-a-year or more. And if and when they do find a job, good luck getting anything that pays nearly as well as before, said Gary Burtless pre-pandemic.

Gary Burtless:

The older worker finds it more difficult to locate an employer willing to offer them that kind of a job or even a job that potentially, in five years' time, will get them back to their previous peak.

(snip)


Paul Solman:

Sixty-six-year-old Ohio driver Dave Heinfeld cared for a sick wife, told his boss he wouldn't deliver to food processing plants. He was canned.

Dave Heinfeld:

I just didn't want to play Russian roulette with my health. If I was 30, instead of 66, it would all be different.

More...

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/older-workers-are-facing-fewer-jobs-prospects-and-higher-covid-risks

Heart Wrenching

[MustLoveBeagles]

1. K&R for exposure

[Blue Owl]

2. K&R

Depressing....

[stopbush]

3. I hope Biden is working on a plan to help the 10-15-million Americans who are going to

be unemployable after this Covid crisis. Many jobs have evaporated and will never return. Many older workers will never be rehired and will never find new employment. Many middle-aged workers will become less employable simply because they have been out of work for 6-12 months.

Are we just going to let these people starve, become homeless and die? There is no pulling ones self up by the bootstraps. There are not enough jobs for everyone who needs one.