A much-awaited economic boom coming off the pandemic recession appears closer to reality with fresh data showing the pace of layoffs dwindling, consumers spending freely and manufacturing rebounding. Retired Ripon College economist Paul Schoofs says the latest barometers point to an economy that’s steadily regaining its health. Schoofs says the sharp drop in the number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits is a hopeful sign that layoffs are easing. Newly vaccinated and armed with $1,400 stimulus checks, Americans went on a spending spree last month, buying new clothes and going out to eat again. The Commerce Department says retail sales surged to a seasonally 9.8 percent after dropping about three percent the month before.
