But while some more industrious workers might strike out on their own - operating as sole proprietors or some other pass-through tax classification - many more will likely be forced to take the "freelance" route, which involves many of the same trappings of the sole-proprietor route, with one notable exception: the self-employed freelancer doesn't make enough to justify incorporation.

Employees who met this classification, including many hourly workers at media organizations and publishers, are particularly vulnerable to the vicissitudes of fortune.

A recent report by Volusion examines where America's self-employed live, which can help offer some insight into how the spike in unemployment might impact local economies, housing markets, etc.