Also Read | How hunger came back to haunt IndiaMeanwhile, states and localities are coping with record levels of infections and hospitalizations.
Many are reimposing the restrictions they relaxed during the summer, dealing a new blow to entire industries. Restaurants are closing, travel is declining, and applications for unemployment insurance are on the rise again.
After flattening in October, retail sales fell by 1.1% last month. The pace of job growth has declined for five straight months and may have ceased in December.