What to do now? Asked yourself if you still want to pursue your trading career or just quit on it. You can find and search for other jobs while still doing trading in the first place so I don't see why you will just quit.
Probably he wants to cover all his losses only from trading. I can understand his frustration but right now he should not continue his trading with current state of skill levels. He must need to improve himself so that you will find the differences. Taking a long break for the purpose of learning and practicing is highly suggested. I'm not sure it will be possible because he must need some income stream for leading a life like he mentioned. Moreover anyone cannot earn a living from trading at first place as results from trading is not consistent all the times. So finding some job and then along with that focusing on sharpening trading skills is highly recommended.
I think with the current market conditions it will make us hesitant to trade, and if you are unsure of what you are doing then it is better to take a break and see the market development better to start again
But, I'm afraid that he will be finding any development in his trading because he was not successful for last two years hence even the market was positive, he was unable to manage his trading into profitable. So, the current market conditions cannot be the reason why he is hesitating to continue. But, he must need a big break so that it will improve all his trading skills before getting back to trading.