Money Layoffs: 1.5M workers file for unemployment amid COVID-19 even as states let businesses reopen June 18, 2020June 18, 2020 Paul Davidson, USA TODAY Comments Off on Layoffs: 1.5M workers file for unemployment amid COVID-19 even as states let businesses reopen Another 1.5M Americans filed initial jobless claims last week amid the coronavirus pandemic even as states continue allowing businesses to reopen.