Dear friends and colleagues,
As the Coronavirus crisis has unfolded, The Data Center has published data on the workers experiencing unprecedented job loss. Since mid-March, the state of Louisiana has received over 500,000 new claims for unemployment insurance.
Today, we highlight another group of workers in the New Orleans metro who face a different set of risks posed by continuing to work in industries deemed “essential” by the statewide stay-at-home order. These workers have kept things running while potentially putting their own health and the health of their households at risk. The profile breaks down demographics, earnings, and other characteristics for the region’s essential workforce.
Among other findings, the data shows that workers of color are overrepresented in certain high-contact essential industries like health care and retail. Also, women of color make up a disproportionately large share of the low-wage essential workforce.
Meeting the needs of essential workers, not just temporarily while COVID-19 risks are high but over the long term as businesses recover, will remain central to managing the region’s economy and the health and well-being of its workers.
See the profile of the essential workforce at:
Bringing you the data you need to make informed decisions,
The Data Center Team
Amy Teller, Rachel Weinstein, Arthur Rymer, Katrina Andry, Erica Amrine, Allison Plyer, Dabne Whitemore, Jenna Losh, Don Asay, Robby Habans, Lamar Gardere, and Cody Brumfield
