The pandemic has inflicted gruesome damage on the economy, and as more and more companies seek bankruptcy protection, increasingly they are citing COVID-19 as the reason why, according to Bloomberg, which looked at 130 such filings.

While the companies exist across a range of industries, from oil and gas to travel to restaurants to startup sports leagues, they are mostly small- and medium-sized companies, with just a smattering of big firms such as Hertz and JC Penney. Virtually all had faced reduced sales from people not spending the way they used to, whether directly, as was the case of a tavern that served primarily people going to and from sports events, or indirectly, as with a company that builds restaurants.

Bloomberg also noted that these are only a sample of the thousands that have closed their doors due to the pandemic: While many are in bankruptcy courts, many more just closed without seeking any protection at all. But, said Bloomberg, the filings indicate the ongoing damage the pandemic has wrought, even as states tentatively began reopening their economies (a process from which many are now stepping back). 

With this in mind, Bloomberg noted in another article that many of the relief programs approved in the spring are set to soon expire within the next few weeks. The moratorium on evictions ends July 24, the extra $600 in unemployment payments ends the week of July 31, the newly expanded PPP stops taking new applications on Aug. 8, the payroll support program for airlines ends Sept. 30, and the freeze on student loan payments ends in November. 

The impending expiration of these programs has spurred calls for further stimulus measures, not only because it would help people in troubled times but because ending them could have severe consequences to the economy as a whole, particularly in the case of the extra $600 to unemployment benefits. Negotiations for a new relief bill are ongoing, although CNBC noted that even if the $600 benefit is extended, it could still take weeks for people to get their money, as it would take time for the new benefits to be officially authorized.