Workers, employers moved from coasts to heartland, Florida
Art Moore
WND News Center
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in February 2020, the economies of states that lean Republican have outperformed Democratic states by many measures, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The pandemic changed the dynamic of migration from job-based moves to “a flight to lifestyle,” the paper said, with individuals who can work from home “choosing where to live.”
A steady stream of workers and employers moved from the coasts to the middle of the country and Florida, growing the share of all U.S. jobs in red states by more than half a percentage point.
An analysis of Labor Department data by the Brookings Institution found that over that time, red states have added 341,000 jobs while blue states were still short 1.3 million jobs as of May.
The Journal reported 46 million people moved to a different ZIP Code in the 12 months through February 2022, the most in any one-year period in records going back to 2010. The states that saw the biggest increase in population were the Republican states of Florida, Texas and North Carolina. The states that lost the most were led by California, New York and Illinois.
There is no data on the role that political preferences played in the migration, the Journal said. But some researchers have reported that for some people, pandemic restrictions had an impact.
The Journal pointed out that red states were less likely than blue ones to impose mask or vaccine mandates, social-distancing restrictions or remote schooling. Florida saw a surge in new residents, many from the Northeast, where restrictions were stricter.
An April report from the Economic Innovation Group, a think tank, found many people moved during the pandemic seeking less expensive housing. In the 10 states that gained the most people between April 2020 and June 2021, according to an analysis by the American Enterprise Institute, the typical home cost 23% less than the typical home in the 10 that lost the most residents to moves.
Also read:
- Letter: New movie on COVID vaccine victims deserves a watch
Richard Beamish discusses the documentary on COVID vaccine victims, urging viewers to watch. - Vancouver screening scheduled of ‘Vaxxed III: Authorized to Kill’Vancouver screening of ‘Vaxxed III: Authorized to Kill’ scheduled for Sept. 18 at Vancouver Mall 23.
- Study: Risk for getting COVID rises with each shot
A new report from the Epoch Times warns that the more COVID shots an individual has taken, the higher the risk of getting COVID. - ‘That’s a scandal’: CDC knew COVID shots caused deaths, but lied with public denialsA new report from the Epoch Times reveals its investigation shows that the CDC knew of the links between the COVID shots and death – and lied about them.
- FDA agrees to remove anti-ivermectin posts off the internet in lawsuit settlementThe Food and Drug Administration has reportedly settled a lawsuit brought by three doctors who accused the health regulator of interfering with their ability to practice medicine and prescribe Ivermectin to treat COVID.
- No good news about student learning on 4-year anniversary of COVID school closuresFour years ago this month, schools nationwide shut down as COVID-19 numbers skyrocketed and students were sent home for what was initially planned to be two weeks.
- NBA Hall-of-Famer among plaintiffs in lawsuit over WA state COVID-19 restrictionsNBA Hall-of-Famer John Stockton of Spokane is among the plaintiffs suing over alleged free-speech sanctions levied against health care providers who spoke out against state restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Opinion: Gov. Inslee wants to be remembered for COVID-19 response?Elizabeth Hovde of the Washington Policy Center doesn’t think Gov. Jay Inslee should remind people of his legacy COVID response.
