Unemployment in Iowa

Workers are hurting

Coronavirus is changing the way we do just about everything.

Shutdowns and workplace restrictions are leaving many without a paycheck.

Live kimt news 3's nick kruszalnicki is live in mason city with more.

Nick?

George and katie á current unemployment numbers aren't yet available from the department of labor, but i have talked to a lot of people over the last few days who tell me they are either out of work, or know someone who has received a pink slip.

< "we just take it day by day, until we hear what's going to be put out there to help us."

Uncertainty seems to be the prevailing feeling right now for those who are suddenly unemployed.

Mason city hairdresser danelle stadtlander tried to make as much money as possible before salons were shuttered.

"i called as many of my clients as i could and had them come in and meet me here so they could get their hair done, because... you know they tell us it's through the 31st of march, but we really have no idea how long it's going to be."

State laws will not let her cut hair from her home, so that's not an option.

Iowa workforce development and minnesota unemployment insurance both have information on their website about how to file for unemployment related to covidá19 layoffs.

Candy (prounounced sandy) callahan says her husband was laid off from eaton in belmond.

He will be filing for unemployment.

"he was doing that today, because they just decided friday that they were going to shut down.

So he's just waiting for me to get home to help him do it."

She tells me they will have to tighten their belts without his steady paycheck.

"we can't shop.

He can't see something he wants and go get it, because one, you shouldn't go out and get it, and two we don't know if we'll have the money later during the year."

Her attitude toward the coronavirus pandemic and the economic chaos it is causing is something i've heard said both iowa and minnesota's unemployment websites have lots of information about who can and can't file for unemployment, so you will want to make sure and read carefully before putting in an application.

Live in mason thanks nick.

Of course, we'll put the links to both unemployment websites on our website at kimt dot com.

Just look for this story.