My question is how are you supposed to get a job when other restaurants are letting go?

Put on clean clothes, walk down the street, go into every door and ask if they need some help. If they say they are "taking applications", leave. You don't want an application, you want a job. You will probably have a job before you go two blocks.

Unfortunately, there may be difficult times ahead for all of us. If you need the money, you may have to opt for the most basic & urgently required positions - food delivery, production, health services.