The agreement provides relief for small businesses, the unemployed, public transportation, schools and vaccine distribution. “Congress leaving out local aid is like the Grinch that stole Christmas,” said Larry Johnson, a commissioner for DeKalb County, Ga., just outside Atlanta. Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act — known as the “Cares Act” — in March. In addition to optimism about vaccines and this latest relief bill, Americans have saved over $1 trillion during this crisis, an unprecedented sum during a recession that could flow quickly into the economy. Economists view this latest federal aid package as emergency relief, similar to what’s needed after a hurricane.

Source: Washington Post December 21, 2020 11:01 UTC