The participation rate of workers started dropping long before COVID. Look at the downward trend on the graph. I've seen some of those which exclude older workers, and it was still a downward trend, so you can't blame it all on retirees.And how much of the participation rate is due to stock market fueled early retirements, Covid concern early retirements, Covid long haulers and other factors vs. a drug addled, nobody wants to work any more generation?
Too many people not wanting to take responsibility for themselves and point the finger at someone else. Too many excuses for younger people not to work. I hope the earlier poster is correct and that the work ethic of the past will return.And even among the drug addled, is the root cause sheer laziness and lack of personal responsibility or did the opoid manufacturers and distributors have a role?