cars to furniture, with inflation at its highest rate in 31 years. >> families are anxious. they're anxious about the cost of living, the economy more than broadly. they're still uncertain. i want you to know i hear you. >> reporter: one sector of the economy that continues to struggle hiring new workers, the hospitality industry. last month, it added 23,000 jobs, but it is still down 1.3 million pre-pandemic positions >> business-wise we're up almost 40% over last year. >> reporter: the problem for florida restaurant owner jay johnson is that his staff is down by 10%, so his employees are forced to pick up the slack. >> so some of them are working six days, some are working seven days. and it-- i need to get them rested so they don't burn out. >> brennan: weijia jiang joins us now. weijia, the president sounded a little bit hoarse. is he feeling okay? >> reporter: he says he is.