You need to not live in that area, or work that career.

I lost my job about a year before you did. Applied to maybeeee 10 places? I think fewer. Didn't even finish some of the take-home assignments because, honestly, my partner at the time was just riding me so hard I wanted to die and nothing else. Almost got one job - but the company ended up restructuring.

Ended up getting an unsolicited message from a recruiter 3 months into unemployment, took that job. Then one of the recruiters whose take-home I didn't complete emailed me to say hey we probably want you anyway, do you wanna discuss? I said sorry, not this time - I got an enticing job offer already. "Ok, congratulations! Feel free to let me know if it doesn't work out though"