General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Employers Are Baffled as U.S. Benefits End and Jobs Go Begging [View all]Hortensis
(58,785 posts)considered well off are being seen to have choices and ways to cut back. Because, obviously, many who aren't showing up yet have found ways to go without employment longer, and in some cases forever. A year, and now going on two, is a long time; many people had to change, not just wait.
Savings.
Living on one income.
Spending less/wasting less.
Consolidating two or more households into one, probably often to a paid-off residence.
Renting out the house, or part of it; moving to smaller.
Early retirement, liked the forced try, less money works, "life is short."
Economists may be underestimating the effects of the disruption and changes to lives. Bet being forced to try out any of the economizers were big eye-openers for many. The great depression once turned many into savers and reusers for life, more sustainability felt right, throwing away felt wrong.
There's life without shopping for a hobby, and without paying retail prices.
What an eyeopener it would be to discover life was downright good, much easier and less frantic, and incredibly cheaper, when family pools resources by living together. Some may have taken lesser jobs where they took shelter temporarily and realized it all works well for them -- or will until this is really over.
Whatever's going on to allow many not to return to work yet, it's impossible not to believe that for many some effects will turn out to be positive -- and widespread enough to be good for society as a whole. Pandemic disease not only as an effect of climate change but a counter to it?