Behind the US unemployment figures: five key points from May's jobs report

The labor department's monthly report indicates unemployment is probably higher than official data and racial disparities remain

Friday brought hope that the US economy is finally digging its way out of the rubble after Covid-19 wiped out millions of jobs - with no indication of when they would be coming back. But beneath the surface, deep problems remain.

Related: US unemployment hits 40m - in pictures

These #JobsDay numbers highlight the damage of the coronavirus ression-a recession that has caused greater job loss in black households than white households and that will, as a result, exacerbate existing racial inequalities. 10/

Here's a simple but important picture of what's happening to jobs. Extremely welcome reversal, of course, if it sticks, but the magnitude of the losses means that even if this uptick pace continues, it would take almost a year just to make up lost ground. pic.twitter.com/kClNyb5kUz