Baltimore city board of education who s also an economist. it means that the world is less prepared for its future, there s going to be more poverty, there are going to be more people out of work and, therefore, potentially more social instability. reporter: the new estimate of $17 trillion far exceeds the $10 trillion estimate from a year ago, a sign that learning losses are snowballing as closures continue nearly two years after the start of the pandemic. in the u.s. more than 7400 schools were closed to in-person learning one or more days during the week of january 10th, and just last week 2100 schools were closed one or more days. if we look to flint if, michigan, we see schools are closing there indefinitely to in-person learning impacting nearly 4,000 students. and in cumberland county, new jersey, middle school and high school students will attend for only a half day for the entire month of february to accommodate teacher shortages.