ended in the we hours of this morning, just after 11:00 eastern, a long series of voted -- boats were started, with center bernie sanders voting to raise when wage -- minimum wage. you can follow all of the senate action today on c-span2. >> this is kate. she is an economist at the washington center for equitable growth, here to talk about the federal minimum wage. thank you for joining us this morning. >> thank you for having me, pedro. >> could you remind your viewers about the work of your organization and what you do? >> we are a research anagram inc. organization. what we are interested in is whether addressing inequality leads to more as a in growth? to that end, the discussion

>> what do you think about the current discussions that are currently playing out politically? and what has happened to the economy in this recession. what we know is that this recession is hitting low-wage workers the most. what we know from the research is wages have been low for a long time. it will lead to more equitably shared growth. host: this comes in light of jobs numbers just announced by the labor department for february. 379,000 jobs added. that brings the unemployment rate to 6.2%. what do those numbers mean in light of the minimum wage? guest: the jobs report, topline numbers were better than what economists thought. we thought the economy would add

150,000 jobs. it was double that. we are start -- still seeing inequalities. if you look at the black unemployment rate, it went from 9.2% to 9.9% so it actually increased. a lot of workers were still being hit the hardest were also likely to be low-wage workers who would be more affected by the minimum wage. it is critical that we start to think about the economic policies that make sure that any recovery we are going into is really centering the economic stability and security of low-wage workers who are truly hit the hardest in this recession. host: how many people in the united states make minimum wage? guest: about 20%. if we increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour, it would impact 20% of the workforce, a large amount of the workforce. host: when you are talking about those types of wages, what is the general work that they are doing to earn those types of wages?

guest: a lot of it is in food service. we have seen huge declines in labor and hospitality month over month in the recession. those are a lot of those minimum-wage jobs, particularly food service jobs. we need to move away from this idea that minimum-wage workers are the teenagers with a summer job. it is over half of our workers in prime working years. even if they are working for industry that are low-wage, they are not just young workers. they are getting these jobs to support themselves and their families. host: when you talk about this idea of doubling it over a matter of years, what does that do economically, not only for those who earned it, but for those businesses who will have to be involved? guest: the wage has been declining over the long-term. it should be much higher per capita up with inflation if they kept up with product --

productivity growth. the best economic research shows that, if anything, the impact unemployment level is ambiguous at best. if you look at the surge, it has had truly no effect on employment levels. workers are able to stay in their jobs, they stay in those jobs, they stay in those doubts were longer and that is good for workers. it does not have this effect that some people predicted it would by increasing unemployment. it seems to have a positive effect. i think that is because it has been held too low for too long. host: kate bahn, our guest. if you want to ask her questions, democrats, (202) 748-8000. republicans, (202) 748-8001. independents (202) 748-8002. if you earn the minimum wage, give us your perspective and (202) 748-8003 -- give us your perspective at (202) 748-8003.

minimum-wage is already in place including seattle, denver go, san jose, new york city -- san francisco, san jose and new york city. guest: those cities can adjust if there is support for it. i think that would be great. i think it is important that we have a broad schedule level that is much higher. host: the congressional budget office weighed in on this. disproportionate pay to younger people like workers and women, 58.5 percent of minimum-wage workers were 24 years old of minimum wage workers in 2019. can you give some context to that? guest: i think that is exactly

right. minimum-wage workers are facing multiple disadvantages. more likely to be women workers, black workers, hispanic workers. what is really important is those are the workers that are being hit hard in this recession. we are definitely seeing that it is workers of color and women who are losing jobs. employers know that unemployment is very high and workers will accept a lower wage because they have few other options. they may not be able to sustain a higher wage. if we raise the minimum wage, it will help alter and protect against what could be otherwise income losses. for example, i think back to when the minimum wage was expanded in the 1960's to cover more industries that have more black workers. in that short period of time when we expanded the minimum wage, it reduced the age gap --

wage gap by 20%. we think about something that might happen by these persistent racial wage gaps, we might be able to address some of that through policy. host: there is an effort called the raise the wage act. "that act would reduce employment but increasing amounts over the 2021 to 25 period. going on to say that when the minimum wage reached $15 an hour, implement would be reduced by 1.4 million workers according to the average estimate. in 2021, most workers who would not have a job would still be looking for work and categorized as unemployed. by 2025, half of the 1.4 million people would be jobless because the bill would have dropped out of the labor force. if the cbo is saying that, what is the case for raising the wage? guest: it is important to go back into the house he cbo comes up with these numbers. -- back into how the cbo comes

up with these numbers. there is better research than we have ever been able to do before. this research is called administrative data and so this is not just survey data. this is actually following workers tax records so we know how much they are earning, how long they are unemployed based on tax records. this data is much better research is done with this data. that body of research is much higher quality and showing no desirable effect on unemployment. we look at the broad research, we need to base our analysis to work is better research and that research shows that we would not have an employment effectively increase the minimum wage. host: being debated on the covid relief package, what did you think about that decision? guest: i don't want to get into

the politics of it, but i am very concerned about how we are going to make sure this recovery is long time. i want to avoid the mistakes made following the great depression when we were in recovery but a lot of workers were hit the hardest like young workers had really suppressed employment and earnings growth over the long-term, over five years. when we are thinking about what we want this recovery to look like, it is important that we are focusing on low-wage workers. it is important that we are ensuring economic growth. one good tool to do that is increasing the minimum wage. it is a critical tool to make sure that the recovery is resilient. host: how much do you think the biden administration is committed to this? guest: i am heartened that we are following the research both in the administration and people thinking about policy, we are following the research and we know what the policy research is

carried the folks who are making -- we know what the policy recharge is -- we know what the policy research is. host: republican line for kate bahn from the washington center for equitable growth. go ahead. if you are from woodbridge, illinois, it is you. go ahead. caller: you stated that the black unemployment affects the black population the most. i agree with you. can you give us your opinion to the american citizens why this administration is opening the borders to illegal immigrants and give them work permits to take these low-wage jobs from the back -- from the black population? thank you. guest: the evidence does not

suggest that increased immigration has a negative impact on the labor force. if anything, it makes the labor market more dynamic. we are likely to see more wage growth and the labor market is going to be more dynamic. host: fort myers, florida, minimum-wage earner. this is rob. caller: number one, just a story. back in 1992, i worked as a technician in the emergency room making $11 an hour which, back then was good money for what i was doing. i am now 56 years old, 30 years later and i am working in hospitality making nine dollars an hour. it just boggles the mind and it needs to be raised. my other comment is, you look at senator manchin who is against the minimum-wage increase, when

his state has one of the highest populations, 16% living below the poverty line. guest: i think you are right. the real value of the minimum wage, minimum wage workers cannot support themselves when they not working full-time. even in west virginia, rural areas, that have lower wages, that is why we need a higher minimum wage. economic outcomes are policy decision. it would be too much of a bite to increase minimum wage in those places, but i think precisely it would be an economic boost if we increase the minimum wage. they have what economists call a higher intensity -- tendency to

consume. it is a boost to the economy to increase the wages of lower wage workers. it would help the recession, spur, growth and that growth would be inclusive. it is important throughout the country for all ages to have a higher federal minimum wage. host: oliver is next. caller: good morning. ok. i would like to tell you, thank you very much. i am a retired democrat and i want to thank you for being on top of the things that are happening with wages. it is a shame, i worked -- i am 67 years old. host: you called in on our independent line, are you a democrat or independent? caller: independent democrat.

i vote independently and democrat. i want to tell you that i thank you very much for being there. i am 67 years old and i worked my whole life on low wages. i was able to retire from the marriott corporation and got myself a home with senior citizens, but i am telling you that people suffer when they do not get up there wage. thank god for joe biden's -- donald trump never have done this. he cares less about the american worker. he would never have done this, so i want to thank god for joe biden. host: thanks. ms. bahn, go ahead. guest: he is right that it is important for low-wage workers to increase the minimum wage. progressive policy tends to

include minimum wage, so it is a sign that we have more progressive people in -- they want to make sure that it is not just -- we want them to have financial stability and a secure retirement. it is important that we are making sure that the floor as higher so workers at the bottom of the labor market are able to be stable. host: we have a viewer, missouri, asking the question that if the minimum wage doubles, shouldn't other fixed entitlements double at the same rate? will this build on fixed income? guest: i am not an expert on social security. at a higher minimum wage, -- it will have a positive impact on that. there is no reason that increasing the minimum wage

helps current workers would help current retirees. a stew republican line, this is doug. -- host: republican line. caller: they are recognized as having the fairest and most legitimate -- we are gambling with people's lives in their careers because right now, we are going through a horrible crisis, as has impacted business is a lot and you are gambling that people that run these companies, that have these companies, they are able to afford the pay hike even over a four year period. it is not regionally adopted. you had people writing for third way and those think tanks advocating more of a regional minimum wage like oregon has. if you did that, you would minimize the risk of casting people out.

the cbo report is credible and it says 1.4 million people and people are going to be the least skilled, at least able to recover. host: miss bahn, go ahead. guest: they do amazing nonpartisan work. looking at the broad evidence in economic research. that being said, it is cutting edge using high-quality data, and even his own research shows that increasing the minimum wage will not have a does employment affect. -- dis-employment affect. that is what we find in that research. over a four-year time. , it absorbs that increase. i want to keep in mind -- businesses may be able to bear

that. that being said, i know that businesses are struggling right now, particularly small businesses. we need to increase direct small business report -- support which has been done through the relief package currently being debated. it is not -- that is a good way to help small businesses, but allowing them to exploit their workers is not small business support. a lot of those workers earning minimum wage are spending in their local community. they are shopping at small businesses. along those workers that have a higher income will have a boost to growth in local communities. host: a viewer from twitter said that minimum wage workers are people who lack the necessary education, skill, or training to demand more. it is that simple.

guest: there is a correlation between one's education level and wage level. there's evidence that this skill gap, the idea that it is workers need to educate their way out of wage and equality, it has not been bourn through. this correlation between education and earnings seems less likely to explain the difference in wages. the real issue is that we have had a social safety net. a lot of the reason that low-wage workers are low wages is because of the policies like a sufficient minimum wage -- is not just about educating their way out of the low earnings. host: clarksburg, west virginia, someone who earns minimum wage. caller: how are you this morning?

guest: i am good, how are you? guest: let me tell you something, the people -- the rich people should take a time to try to live on seven dollars an hour. you have to give me a break here. it is $15 an hour over periods of time. and you learn making the minimum wage. i learned making a minimum wage. other people were tea in industries that other occupations have learned. and they started their own business. that is by working in minimum wage. this minimum wage, you cannot live with it. you cannot live with it. you cannot even dream about keeping a family, buying a home, think about buying a car, medical care, anything like that.

you have to give me a break, this is a poor state in the u.s. people leave here because they can make more money somewhere else. pedro, you, kate, god bless you. i'm heating up. guest: frank makes a good point that we need to understand what the lives of minimum wage workers are like and it would be good for a lot of us to think about what it is like to be a minimum wage worker. even in states that have low wages, even in states where people make less money, workers in those states not earn enough to cover the cost of living. they do not earn enough to pay rent or a -- 482 bedroom apartment. -- four of a -- for a two bedroom apartment. we would increase the well-being of workers in those states if we increase the minimum wage.

host: buffalo, new york. kyle, up next. mcat line. caller: good morning -- democrat line. caller: in new york state, we have been raising the minimum wage for the last five years. we started at seven dollars and $.50. now it is a little over $12. upstate new york is much different, much different than downstate. what i noticed around here, our businesses, especially the small ones, have laid off employees and raised their prices of goods because of that. because they honestly, it affects the small business more than the corporate companies. i am nervous about -- i cannot speak for other states, but i am a bit nervous because minimum wage -- most people usually get razors after a year or two. it is not designed to feed a

family of four for full-time workers. seeing the cost of goods and the people who make above minimum wage, their costs are going up because now they have more money for the costs of goods from pizza plot shops and small business owners are going to put that money that they have to pay their employees and to their cost of goods. host: karl, thank you. guest: there are important points there. i do not want to discredit the fact that minimum wage increases may have an impact on a cost of goods. there is a study last month looking at how much minimum wage increase and tax mcdonald's in particular. mcdonald's is primarily small businesses owned by anti-z's. -- owned by franchises. they tended to increase -- if

you making above the previous minimum wage, you still make a quarter above the current minimum wage. what have been the mcdonald's restaurants, they looked at the prices of big macs and they went up a bit. that being said, the price increase on these goods do not go up so much that it is not still an overall benefit that we are increasing the wages of workers who are able to spend more money in most local economies. look to europe, places in europe were the cost of fast food, the cost of small business items, it is not much higher in europe. again, workers can buy those goods from small businesses if they are earning more money. yes, there can be an impact if we are increasing the cost of goods, but it is not enough -- not up enough to shy away from work is being able to support themselves. host: i'm sure you heard the argument that if you raise the

wage the amount that we are talking about, small businesses like fast food places will be replaced by touchscreens rather than people. how do you respond to that argument? guest: this study i was referring to that is looking at mcdonald's specifically, look at that question. businesses do not replace workers with touchscreen ordering. the fact was that there was a slight increase in prices, but i think -- i do not think that employers will be replacing workers with touchscreens or robots or anything like that. they will probably likely to keep workers on, workers in tandem with the technology in the workplaces. there is enough evidence that minimum wages have been artificially suppressed for so long. employers will still continue to have the same level of employment. host: is there an argument that ended up placing a flat minimum wage across the united states, looking at it regionally depending on what learners make in that region already?

guest: the regional economic inequality that exist between states is because we have too low of a minimum wage and we have relied on states and cities to increase the minimum wage on our own. if we want to have less regional economic inequality, we want to have fewer states that have lower earnings than others and we need to do that by increasing the federal minimum wage. once we get to a higher federal minimum wage, perhaps $15 an hour, they can add onto to the federal minimum, but the regional federal minimum wage or having the federal minimum wage -- entrenches what we already have with the regional economic inequality. states that have large low-wage workforces that are black workers, that have low minimum wages and have lower minimum wages, and another factor that i would think is important is that making sure that economic regional inequality is not exacerbating racial inequality

and one way to do that is increasing the federal minimum grid host: frances in montana, a minimum wage worker. caller: i am now 78, but i started my working years when i was age 13. if not for minimum wage, which was at that time, like $.73 an hour, i would not have been able to work. i was able to start working at that age and learn how to buy my own shoes and school clothes and my older brother, older sister, the three of us, had those kinds of jobs and it really helped our family because it was -- my parents were impoverished and we try to have a higher minimum wage, we would not have made a penny. we learn how to work, we learn how to be disciplined, and went on to a masters degree in -- and making seven figures and those things. for that early on experience, i probably would not have done what i was able to do.

host: thank you. guest: it is true that -- my first jobs were minimum wage jobs. where workers start to clear has a impact on their lifelong career trajectory. if we are increasing the minimum wage, those first jobs are higher paid jobs, their subsequent jobs will be higher paid, building on those previous minimum wages. it gives people a stronger basis as a career at their starting their career at a job that is sustainable. host: kate bahn, there was a server at the arizona central website, she talked about her experience in the movement to push that national minimum wage to $15 an hour. she my earnings for that work as part of the increase, proponents want to eliminate the tip credit, a safety net for cap workers. -- for.

guest: the way it works at that

i have a phd i might make a good

level and we are seeing increasingly porches with bachelors degree and workers who finish college might still work middle wage job and still be low wage workers. this more complicated, it's not just education and higher earnings. that does not guarantee higher earnings. it's worker power through unions or through raising things like the minimal wage. education is good but it is not enough to guarantee higher earnings. we need other tools like minimum wage. also how it affects the price of goods and gas in particular, the price of gas is not based on the labor cost that goes into it. it's based on the gas market and the global geopolitical climate so i don't think an increase in class is related to rising minimum wages. i think those are two slightly different issues.

overall, we want business to be sustainable but i don't think the way to do that is to allow small businesses to pay exploitive wages to those workers. it really shows with increases in minimum wages, we look at cities and states that increase their minimum wage and they did not have a decline in unemployment that was predicted. they were able to maintain employment levels. it's a virtuous cycle of increasing workers earnings and they're not losing jobs and this maintains employment. they are earning more money, they are spending it in their local communities and supporting economic growth. host: republican line, this is eddie. caller: good morning, the federal minimum wage is just another nail in the coffin of mining and manufacturing. at least donald had some tariffs on the dumping of steel but you have to realize, we lost all

three of our major beer companies, budweiser, miller and coors. even our automobiles, we are losing it and receive he gave up on chrysler but chevy lost their malibu, the impala. host: how does that relate to the minimum wage? caller: it's another regulation by government. there are too many government regulations. we are losing our competitiveness with a bunch of losers. thank you. host: another regulation by government? guest: mining and manufacturing are a source of high-quality jobs for workers because they were unionized jobs and jobs with high wages. i don't see increasing the minimum wage is something that will have a negative impact on industries. they tend to be your densmore unionized jobs with higher earnings.

increasing the minimum wage will probably affect service industries. some health care jobs are quite low paid. that is an industry that might be impacted by the minimum wage. these are jobs that have to be done in person, face-to-face jobs, service jobs you cannot offshore. they have to be done in person. because of the structure of our labor market, most of our low-wage jobs are service jobs so that's an extra case for increasing the minimum wage because those jobs cannot be displaced and moved elsewhere. host: let's hear from dale in texas, independent line. caller: good morning. you stated the cbo uses antiquated research and yours is more sophisticated. you also mentioned the poverty level.

how do you determine the poverty level? do you do it area by area, state-by-state? you also commented about how certain low income states, i can't remember all the words, but how some will contribute more back to their communities even though they make low wages. maybe that's a sign that they are more willing to work for what they want instead of wanting somebody to give something to them. guest: the first point about the poverty line is that typically, there is a poverty line across the country. the federal poverty line is pretty low. for a single person like me, it's probably less than $20,000 per year. if we increase minimum wage and bring more people above that level, the second point -- i

forget what the second question was. do you remember the second part? host: i don't know but let's go on to pat in michigan, minimum wage earner in kingston. caller: a very good morning to you folks. a fine conversation here. i'm curious why the number $15 per hour is the continuing figure over the last few years. it's not like a new number that keeps escalating or declining. $15 seems to be the number that both sides of the argument are debating. thank you very much for your time. guest: we have had the fight for 15 for a long time, more than 15 years. they have been advocating for's 15 years specifically so that's the number. that's what workers think would be a sustainable way for them to earn. that's really where the $15 came

from. it wasn't generated from economic research but it's important it was generated from the workers themselves who are working these jobs. host: if the minimum wage for $15 is imposed over several years, how long do you think before that would have to be bumped up even more? guest: we have to follow where the economy goes. there are many people that would argue we should have a minimum wage that is tied to inflation. it would automatically increase with a cost-of-living increase. that's probably a good way to ensure that we don't have the current situation we have where we haven't had an increase in over 10 years. it is correct that we would eventually need rates above $15 per hour but it would be great if we had automatic triggers to do that. in the meantime, the first step is getting it to $15 per hour in the immediate future. host: san antonio, democrats

line, good morning. guest: thank you, what is missing here is that help medicare for all would help lower the cost of living. i want to ask a question. has your program studied or evaluated any recommendations that it would take to lower the cost of living? i support $15 per hour and i worked many years for men wage -- for minimum wage. i really believe we can lower the cost of education and medicare. i am not retired but if we can resolve that problem, than the minimum wage would be much more helpful. i do support $15 per hour. guest: i like this point because i think when we think about how to make the economy more resilient, how to make it more dynamic, we really want a robust

structural economic policy . increasing minimum wage is one piece of it but i also think increasing the social safety net is another part of it. there is good research that shows when states increase their medicaid generosity, makes the labor market more dynamic stop workers more likely to be assured that they had medicaid, they would move into higher paid jobs because they knew they would not have extra health insurance coverage. when you provide for a social safety net, medicaid is a great example of that, it gives workers the facility to invest in their careers, find a job and they will probably be more productive that they have a better match for. you want to make sure there is a solid floor that workers can support themselves with and the safety net allows them to move around the economy and find jobs to themselves that contribute to growth. host: this is gary, kentucky,

democrats line. caller: thanks for taking my call. i've been watching this and i'm hearing all the points. $15 per hour is a great idea, i get that. but i'm totally against it and this is why. we already have landlords. we already have companies already saying if the $15 minimum wage goes into place, they will increase everything. that's going to hurt people that are on social security, living wage to wage. this is not making it any better. what needs to be done is laws need to be put in place to protect people to to keep prices from couching on that's what we

really need to focus on. with all due respect, you did say earlier that automation is not replacing jobs but that's not true. six people can run to walmart. -- can run a walmart. it's not going to help things. host: thank you. guest: the last point about automation, there is some evidence in particular industries that there is laborsaving technology. some industries are subject to competitive structures but a lot of the service jobs like mcdonald's and walmart, these type of jobs, there is evidence that technology doesn't necessarily displays workers and it might make workers more productive. there is the research in the food service but they were looking at whether technology

forced employers to move -- forced employers to move away from employees. the technology augments labor and does not replace labor in certain industries. it depends what the technology looks like and how it's integrated stop it can be done in a way that it's not displacing workers. the ultimate result is having more productivity which is good for the economy. the critical pieces making sure the growth is shared by the workers. host: kate bond with the washington center for equitable growth serves as an economist. equitable growth.org is their website and thank you for your time today. guest: thank you so much for having me. host: the decision by the governor about lifting the mask order, ending the mask order on april 9. she says she announced it will expire on that date at 5 p.m.

and the order was first put in place in july and has been extended several times and the governor said the m hospitalization numbers prompted the changes. folks, we are not there yet but we are getting closer, adding the month extension allows businesses to put their plans in place. if you go to decisions by other state leaders, democratic governor ned lamont of connecticut now says that on the fourth, he plans to ease some of the restrictions in his state, saying he stressed that while some of the restrictions are being ease, all the protocols that relate to face coverings and social distancing and cleaning measures are being maintained and people and businesses are encouraged to adhere to those safety concerns. then michigan's governor as well, gretchen whitmer, also a democrat making decisions on her state two days ago.

those primarily will focus on restaurants and other establishments. other states have made other decisions and we are getting your thoughts on those decisions made by states should be kept in place right now. it's in light of vaccinations going out and other backs -- and other things going on. this started a couple of days ago with the texas governor announcing his plans regarding face masks and other restrictions in his state. here is a bit of that opening from a few days ago. [video clip] >> make no mistake, and to be clear, covid has not suddenly disappeared. covid still exists in texas and

the united states on across the globe. but, it is clear from the recoveries, from the vaccinations, from the reduced hospitalizations and from the safe practices that texans are using that state mandates are no longer needed. [applause] host: that's from a couple of days ago and there is a story will find in the austin american statement out of texas about who consulted the governor making these decisions on the headline says three major health advisors were not consulted before the decision was made. did the governor consult with you on the decision to lift the mask mandate? he asked dr. john he llerstadt. he told state lawmakers he did not have a personal conversation before the governors announcement step he is the lead agency monitoring the spread of covid-19 statewide in vaccine

distribution one of four medical advisors on the governors strike to open texas. the other medical advisors say there were not consulted. the decision by texas and other states, but tickly when it comes to mask mandates garnered a response from president biden. here is his response to that. [video clip] >> i hope everybody has realized by now that these masks make a difference. we are on the cusp of being able to fundamentally change the nature of this disease because of the way in which we got vaccines in people's arms. we've been able to move that all the way up to the end of may 2 have enough for every american to get a shot -- every adult american. and the last thing we need is the neanderthal thinking about taking off your mask. it still matters. i carry a card, as of yesterday,

we have lost over five hundred thousand americans. we will lose thousands more. this will not her and have everybody vaccinator until sometime in the summer. we have the vaccine to do it. it will take time. it is critical that they follow the science. host: some of you have already texted and posted on social media this morning. this is rate in colorado saying i favor lifting mask mandates and using persuasion to get others to put on a mask. jeff in illinois, keep them in place, it will save lives why would get everyone vaccinated. sicilia says restrictions need to be lifted, three vaccines, antibodies for those having the virus and natural immunity, it's time to open up our country. terry off of facebook says when it comes to restrictions, i

guess he saying they should lifted gradually as the numbers go down. down. pittsburgh, california, tom says keep them in place. caller: thank you for taking my call. i tend to look at it this way. i don't go to a politician to ask him for medical advice and i don't go to a doctor and ask him for political advice. the fact of the matter is, i go with the old adage that doctors know and in this case, doctors know best. they should follow the guidelines that were set up a long time ago. i have to go along with what doctors and medical science says. keep the restrictions, and as they say, start lifting the restrictions, then go along with that. if everybody goes too soon, we could end up back where we started from, which is my

opinion. host: when it comes to your state, is that the doctors and medical professionals in your state that should be making those calls, the federal government and their medical professionals? who would you rely on most? caller: i have to go by where it starts from. it starts at the federal level. federal level is cdc. this is where it starts from, cdc, and works its way down. host: ok. caller: i have to go by what the guidelines are and i have always felt that way. host: that is tom in pittsburgh. snyder, texas, shirley says lift the restrictions. caller: keep them on because if we don't we are going to start all back over again with this mess. we have nothing but illegals come in and they are carriers -- host: you called on the lift the restrictions line.

we will hear from mary in massachusetts, onset, massachusetts. you are calling and saying keep them in place. tell us why. caller: i think the health care workers deserve our support. they are terrified. -- terrified at the thought of restrictions being lifted. we have to listen to the experts that no -- know best. we need at least heard immunity. -- herd immunity. host: what general restrictions are in place in your state today? caller: we have masks mandated, and they are starting to lift some of the restaurant restrictions a little bit. so it is starting to ease up a little, but i don't even -- i think we should wait. better safe than sorry.

we don't need more people dying unnecessarily. health care workers deserve our support. host: what is your level of comfort going out with a mask or going out to do business or other activities, what is your level of comfort? caller: in massachusetts, we are doing pretty well. you go into stores and everyone is wearing masks. go into a restaurant -- yes, i wouldn't go indoors to a restaurant yet or a gym or movie theater. host: you heard about alabama's decision as of yesterday, bill is in talladega, alabama, says he is not sure at this time. good morning. caller: good morning, pedro. i am not sure about states that have mandated and closed down their people's businesses,

restricted their travel. what i am sure about is that it should be left up to the individual to make the best decision for them and their families and their communities. that is what i am sure about. host: the governor has made the decision to drop the mask mandate and a couple of weeks. what do you think? caller: that is her decision and that is her guidelines. host: but it effects you living in alabama. caller: it does affect me to a certain point. when i'm out in -- at stores and stuff, i wear my mask, no problem. i understand that. host: when the mask mandate gets dropped, will you still wear a mask? caller: no. not unless i am in a crowded store with a lot of people.

but can i add one more thing? host: quickly, as long as it is related to the restriction. caller: the restrictions are good when they apply common sense. we have been taking these guidelines from the cdc and they change constantly are changing. host: ok, that is bill in alabama. the folks at morning consult, at their website, conducted some polling taking a look at general reaction to mandates and restrictions. here is some of their results, saying that when it comes to republicans, politically, are growing more wary of social distancing, adding, for the first time in tracking, fewer than half of republican voters agreed that america's should continue -- americans should continue to social distance, even if it means continued damage to the economy.

nearly half of the public is comfortable resuming regular routines. 47% of adults are comfortable or somewhat comfortable returning to their normal routine, the highest share since late may with an increase of three percentage points from last week. the record share of millennials and gen xers say they are comfortable resuming their regular routine, 56% and 51% respectively. >> lots going on around here. i have a couple of items at the top. obviously, today is jobs day. with today's jobs report showing some progress, it also shows the long road ahead. there are 9.5 million fewer jobs than at this time last year. this is a larger job whole -- hole then at any point in