Welcome to Bayou Business Download, a podcast from the Greater Houston Partnership where we dive into the data and analytics influencing the region’s economy.  In this episode we discuss the impact of the COVID-19 Delta variant—just when we thought things were looking more positive regarding the pandemic, the new variant has wreaked havoc on our health care system and led to more death across the country and here in the Houston region. While doctors and nurses work to save lives, could this fourth wave derail our economic recovery? We're joined once again today by Partnership Senior Vice President of Research Patrick Jankowski. Some of the topics discussed in this episode include: The current state of job gains and new unemployment claims What the country's leading economists are predicting about the trajectory of the economyWhich sectors in Houston are making gains and which ones remain stagnant or declining. How significantly Delta could affect the direction of the economy. The recovery of the travel sector in Houston.