[Robert Urbanek]

Some changes in consumer spending may become permanent because of COVID-19.

In normal times, my husband and I spend a shocking amount of our income on restaurants, concerts and shows. Like everyone else, we stopped in March. And we are both surprised by how little we miss it all — and how much we are saving. — Linda Stern, AARP Bulletin, December 2020

If this quote reveals a widespread trend, what can be done to help people who are losing their jobs in entertainment and the other service industries? They can’t all find jobs in Amazon warehouses. Do we keep extending unemployment benefits?

[Igor Antunov]

Some changes in consumer spending may become permanent because of COVID-19.

In normal times, my husband and I spend a shocking amount of our income on restaurants, concerts and shows. Like everyone else, we stopped in March. And we are both surprised by how little we miss it all — and how much we are saving. — Linda Stern, AARP Bulletin, December 2020

If this quote reveals a widespread trend, what can be done to help people who are losing their jobs in entertainment and the other service industries? They can’t all find jobs in Amazon warehouses. Do we keep extending unemployment benefits?

Some kind of educational scheme to retrain them and allow for entry into new places of employment. However...overall the loss of the live entertainment and service sectors cannot be absorbed wholly into other established sectors. There's simply not enough jobs to go around for millions of people made redundant in 2020. We have to create new industries and outlets for creativity and service. Perhaps they can better utilize their customer service skills in providing disability support as in-home care support workers, or as delivery drivers or as in-home service specialists. There will be major growth in these sectors at least as millions of consumers choose to consume from home.