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Sending kids into schools is not the move. I own a bar/restaurant & didn’t re-open til May 22nd, after 70+ days of quarantine. We applied for a PPP loan, got approved, then sat on it for a month until we felt ready. (Psst! There's no way to be ready during a pandemic!!!!)
Only 2 of our staff members could get UI. So we decided to finally open back up, w/ limits: takeout only, masks mandatory, 1 person allowed in @ a time, disinfect every surface after each customer. We had to hire 3 more ppl to complete these tasks efficiently.
If it wasn't for the PPP Loan, we couldn't have re-opened or offered hazard pay. The $$ runs out tomorrow, we took all the steps to have the loan completely forgiven, so that’s great, but we're essentially back to zero. Taking things day-by-day. No clue how long we'll last.
So far, things are going relatively smoothly. Having vigilant staff who don’t take risks + practice social distancing outside of work helps. This skeleton crew is comprised of trans ppl, disabled ppl & immigrants. So much is at stake. Their safety is our #1 priority. Easy.
On Tues., we'll crunch numbers, figure who we can keep, what we can pay. My partner & I can't sleep, now we have to figure how to homeschool our kids while sending another to college. Uncertainty galore! We know it cold be worse. So many ppl have died. This gov't has no plan.
As PPP funds run out, unemploymnt will rise, again. Now parents have to navigate unprepared school systems on top of it? I'm disabled, will run my body to the ground over the next 3 mons to keep my shop afloat unless a 2nd round of PPP loans is approved. I’m holding onto hope.
But if my kids go back to school, that's IT. I get sick every fall, kids are kids. So mine are staying home. We have NO OTHER CHOICE. It helps keep them, me & my staff safe. Protecting students protects teachers, staff, parents & the community as a whole. Look out for each other!
