Unemployment in California is “crazy,” say those affected by the coronavirus crisis | PHOTOS

With Hollywood productions suspended, sports stadiums empty and bars closed, California is the state with the most applications for unemployment benefits, among the 17 million Americans who lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Here the faces of this crisis in California.

Films

At any other time, the show would have to go on.

But the production of the film where Zach Matchem works stopped abruptly, like many others in hollywooddue to social distancing rules to prevent the spread of the virus.

“No one is working right now”said Matchem, 32. “We are all at home waiting for group meetings to be authorized to resume work.”.

Among those participating in the paralyzed productions “there is a lot of panic“, he assures, although large companies like Netflix and Amazon continue to support those left in limbo.

Matchem, an independent sound mixer, is now relying on government relief plans and his personal savings until hollywood reopen your doors.

The general fear is that “Hollywood remains closed for many months (…) which would be financially catastrophic for many people”.

“For now it’s the blind leading the blind”.

Night life

When the authorities of California All bars were ordered to close last month, Bobby Hooper not only lost one job… he lost three.

“It’s crazy”said the 34-year-old who tended a bar and cocktail lounge in Los Angeles, and was also the manager of a brand-new bar-restaurant in neighboring North Hollywood, where he spent months planning his big launch for the end of February.

“We were very excited for the grand opening”he explained. “All our friends came, but it only lasted about two and a half weeks and we had to close”.

The 40 employees were still serving probationary periods when it closed so they did not have to make any severance payments, although Hooper praised the shop owner for helping staff apply for welfare benefits.

“I feel bad for him! “He put millions of dollars into that place,” he said. “Through good times and bad, people want to drink, so a bartender will always have a job until, you know, a pandemic virus hits!”.

Baseball

Sylvia Sosa has been serving drinks and appetizers at the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball stadium for more than four decades, but with the start of the season postponed, she has been forced to file for unemployment.

“This is the first opening game I’ve missed in 44 years.“, said.

Unlike other local teams such as the Lakers in basketball and the Kings in ice hockey, the Dodgers did not provide any financial assistance to their employees.

Sosa faces the loss of her health insurance and the struggle to feed her daughters and granddaughters.

“I’m so hurt that the Dodgers didn’t come out and support us.”Sosa said. “I feel like they just turned their backs on the employees.”.

Art

The art galleries on the famous Venice Beach are usually packed with visitors.

But with tourists and collectors staying at home the scenario is different.