The University of Alaska is one of our state’s greatest assets Author: Bill Popp Published February 21 Share on Facebook Print article Nearly a year since the first case of COVID-19 was discovered in Alaska, the pandemic continues to shake the state’s communities and economy. Many Alaskans are still out of work and struggling financially. The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development reports average job losses for 2020 were 12,400, an 8.3% loss in employment compared to 2019. Anchorage now has a five-year recession and the pandemic to recover from. To see a full economic recovery, the city needs to add 18,400 jobs, a feat that will take years to accomplish.