COVID-19 Outbreak (Update: More than 2.9M cases and 132,313 deaths in US)

DC has typically been insulated from recessions, but the Covid-19 recession isn't typical. The DC unemployment phone lines are overwhelmed with long wait times. The max unemployment benefit of $444/wk doesn't meet the average monthly apartment rent in the city. DC ranks 24th out of 51 states in $/wk while having the 3rd highest rent prices. I think the federal government needs to start filling in some of these gaps. Even if they offered 25-33% on top of state unemployment up to $800/wk combined funds for a period of 6 months, it would do a ton to help people and stabilize businesses. It would also push states to raise these benefits. Hopefully, communities will be much more engaged in this type of policy.