The Conference Board reported today that consumer confidence fell for the second consecutive month. The confidence level is now at its lowest point of the pandemic.

Key numbers:

• Consumers who think business conditions are “bad” increased from 38.9% to 43.6%.
• Consumers who think jobs are “plentiful” fell from 22.3% to 21.5%.
• Consumers who expect an increase in their income in the next six months declined from14.8% to 12.7%.

The big picture: When consumers are confident, they spend more, but the reverse is also true. This data shows how important it is for Washington to come together on a pandemic relief package to instill confidence. Such a package should contain timely, temporary, and targeted relief, including a liability safe harbor as well as support for slow-to-recover employers, the unemployed, and state and local governments.