US families in dire straits during pandemic

Millions of Americans are badly impacted by the pandemic, including Racobs-Ashford (left) and her husband, Chase, who is disabled. Photo: AP/Tony Gutierrez

An unemployed makeup artist with two toddlers and a disabled husband needs help with food and rent. A hotel manager says his unemployment has deepened his anxiety and kept him awake at night. A dental hygienist, pregnant with her third child, is struggling to afford diapers and formula.

Around the country, across industries and occupations, millions of Americans thrown out of work because of the coronavirus are straining to afford the basics now that an extra US$600 a week in federal unemployment benefits has expired.