Economics

Fed Catalogs Devastation Wrought by Pandemic on U.S. Economy

  • Slowdown drives wages up for some workers, down for others
  • Businesses pessimistic about potential pace for recovery
A restaurant stands temporarily closed in Austin, Texas on May 23.Photographer: Alex Scott/Bloomberg
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The coronavirus deeply damaged the U.S. economy in recent weeks, with “steep” job losses and business closures, a new Federal Reserve report said.

“Economic activity declined in all districts – falling sharply in most – reflecting disruptions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic,” the central bank said in its Beige Book survey released Wednesday in Washington.