The number of unemployed in Michigan because of COVID-19 has reached historical levels.

So reported the Michigan Information and Research Center in a recent weekly bulletin.

In April, the state’s unemployment rate rose to 22.7%, which is definitely the highest rate since 1976, said Jason Palmer, director of the state’s Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. He said that likely was an “all-time” high in Michigan.

April numbers reflected the first full month of the COVID-19 pandemic and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home orders.

As a means of comparison, the March unemployment number was 4.3%, while February’s number was 3.6%.

“Job losses were widespread across all industry sectors, with especially large employment reductions in leisure and hospitality and manufacturing,” said Palmer.

MIRS reported the total number of unemployed in April -1.048 million — was an all-time high, surpassing the previous record of 725,000 during June 2009.

As we’ve said many times, COVID-19 not only has created a health pandemic from which we all are reeling, but also an economic one that is running parallel to the other.

Unfortunately, the list of businesses that never again will reopen keeps growing daily. With each closure comes the reality that their employees suddenly find their jobs eliminated.

It’s hard to believe how all aspects of our lives have been affected by a virus.

— The Alpena News