Public union contracts covering more than 18,000 hospital workers, police officers and other government employees have fallen victim to Nevada’s coronavirus outbreak.

If you want to know why the latest tally of jobless claims announced Thursday is at least suspect — and probably a complete distortion of reality — consider the case of Todd Sayland.

Rogelio Garcia, a Reno-based real estate agent, is used to uncertainty. In normal times, business might boom one month, only to slow the next.

Hundreds of thousands of Nevadans could lose their jobs due to the business stoppage caused by the new coronavirus.

Tens — perhaps hundreds (by some estimates) — of thousands of Nevadans have gotten, or will soon get, the bad news: They’ve been laid off due to the coronavirus crisis business stoppage. It’s an emotional, frightening time.

Earlier this month, the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation issued a press release with a jubilant headline: “Nevada’s Unemployment Rate Hits an All-Time Low.”

“Several” MGM Resorts International workers have tested positive for COVID-19, as the company announces it will close select operations, such as Ohio’s MGM Northfield Park, the gaming giant notified employees Friday night.

A picket line outside the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas proved to be a hot ticket for most Democratic hopefuls aiming to pick up a vote or two ahead of the Nevada caucuses.