Jobless Claims Fall Sharply

Jobless Claims Fall Sharply to 684,000, 4Q GDP Revised Upward

Read the article “Jobless Claims Fall Sharply to 684,000, 4Q GDP Revised Upward” by Tim Smart.
The article is uploaded!

• • In a word document or a pdf file, submit the following:
  • (20 points) A detailed summary of the article (5-6 sentences ONLY).
  • (30 points) Using the information provided in the article, identify the current state of the US economy on a business cycle diagram. Identify whether the US economy is at a peak, trough, recession, or expansion. Explain your answer using the concepts we learned in Chapters 9, 11, and 17.
  • (50 points) Read the following quote and answer questions about it:

“Both reports come on the one-year anniversary of the passage of the CARES Act, the first of
three coronavirus relief packages passed by Congress, the latest of which is now sending
$1,400 checks to Americans. All told, about $5 trillion in fiscal stimulus has been added to
the U.S. economy in the past 12 months as well…”

• (20 points) What type of policy are the CARES Act and relief packages passed by Congress? What is the goal of these policies? Explain in detail using concepts learned in Chapters 21 to 23.
• (30 points) Using aggregate demand and aggregate supply diagrams, show the before and after effects of COVID-19, and the effect of the stimulus packages on the US economy. In a paragraph, explain why the curve(s) shifted.

1. For extra credit points, answer the following questions:
   • (5 points) Let’s say Congress asked you for help. What other policy would you suggest to get the US economy back or close to its full-employment level (besides what is already mentioned in this assignment)? Explain in detail using the concepts we learned this semester.