Made in Finland, freedom of the seas was the world's largest ship when it first set sail

in 2006. There's room on board for more than 4,000 passengers and the 1300 strong crew

needed to keep them happy 24-7. On deck there's a three-story waterslide, a surf simulator,

and of course crazy golf. When the Caribbean sun gets a bit much, there's an ice rink

down below. This week, the freedom of the seas became the first cruise ship to set sail

from Miami in 15 months. For now, the only people unleashing any lingering lockdown tension

at the laser tag are employees of the Royal Caribbean cruise company and their families.

It's a test forage. The paying customers booked onto a sister ship, the odyssey of the

seas, will get refunds after eight crew members tested positive for COVID. Despite the setback,

Royal Caribbean share price continues to inch back to pre-pandemic levels. It's a familiar

story of expectation and frustration as the vast American economy reflots. This is checks

and balance. I'm John Prado, the economist's US editor. Each week we take one big theme

in shaping American politics and explore it in debt.

Today, how has the pandemic reshaped the American economy?

As the country reopens, businesses are having trouble hiring even as millions remain unemployed.

New business creation is at record levels and there's upward pressure on wages for the

first time in decades. How might this unusual recovery change the political landscape?

In this episode, we'll find out what's going on in the labour market. Look back to when

the power of American workers was of its peak. And hear the concerns of President Obama's

former chief economist, Jason Furman.

With me to discuss all of this are the economist's US digital editor, John Fasman, and our

editor-in-chief, Zannie Minton-Bettos. This is a special episode for a couple of reasons.

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