Went for a drive yesterday. It really hit me this "essential business" thing.

[underpants]

We went for a drive yesterday and the "essential business" thing really hit me. Everything is shut down. Sitting in our house you just don't "get" it. We went to a big fancy mall that usually has no good parking spots anywhere near the entrances ALL DAY LONG. The running joke is for those of us who, say, go to a business lunch during the day "Who ARE all these people? What do they DO?"
The parking lot was vacant. A few cars - there are restaurants there - maybe the maintenance crews but that was it. A ghost town.

We know all the numbers on how many people live paycheck to paycheck or less. Can't afford a sudden $400 expense. I've been there. We've been there. When my daughter was really young we had this one period where we were Bbbbbroke! The weather wasn't right to go to a park or the river so we went to a Bass Pro Shop. My daughter was amazed at the fish tank. It killed some time and we had a good time.

My wife and I are lucky. We are still working - teleworking - and that looks to continue. I can't see either of us being laid off (especially not her) or furloughed. This $2,900 thing (whenever we get it) sounds great but it wouldn't go very far if one of us loses our job. People live according to the means they have. We are right down the middle of middle class but there are things we just expect to have. Hell WiFi is a necessity for us to work at home.

Those of us making jokes about spending time at home, Look it's something we have in common and it's truly bizarre, don't get that this is going to be the ruin of many people and many businesses that employ them. Restaurants and stores will re-open but that's a ways down the road.

I really feel for all these people who have bills to pay and no real foreseeable money new coming in.

[Rorey]

1. In the beginning, I was going for a drive every day

I never got out of my van. I was just curious.

Now life just feels so different. Almost none of my neighbors are leaving their houses at all.

My daughter-in-law works at a Target store in Denver. She told me yesterday that there are still people going in and shopping leisurely for clothes. We're under a Stay At Home order here in Colorado, and I find that fairly irritating.

[underpants]

2. The only time my wife has left was to run into the office for something

We did take a nice drive last Sunday down to a 400 year old plantation. We had a picnic in the car. There were a few other people there. We all waved at each other. It's right on the James River between here and Williamsburg.

I have one day a week IN the office and I mean I stay IN the office.

[Rorey]

5. Sounds lovely

I was thinking about driving out to my son's and daughter-in-law's house and just visiting from the driveway, but I think my three year old grandson might want to give me a hug. My daughter-in-law is pregnant. We're all trying to be super careful So I'll just have to get by with visiting via video chat.

[Walleye]

3. Went past the biggest mall in our state yesterday.

Had to go out and get a prescription. Parking lots empty, like something out of a movie, unsettling.

[MontanaMama]

4. My husband and I own two small businesses.

We employ 8 people. We are not considered an essential business by any means. We closed our doors to the public a week ago and sent employees home. We told them all that we would continue to pay them. They’re like family to us, I want them safe and when this is over, we truly need them back at work. I plan to continue to take orders for our product over the phone and via email. I can still ship via UPS and truck freight since they are still deemed essential. Maybe we can limp along like that for a while. I have a home equity line of credit that I can dip into if need be, but that will be a last resort.

I sent payroll reports to our banker who will help us apply for the SBA 0% loan opportunity from the relief package passed yesterday. I was warned by the banker and our accountant that the money may not actually be available for really small businesses like ours...bigger businesses who are better connected politically will most likely gobble up the funds before we get a shot. My neighbor, Joe, who is a builder was told the same thing. He employees around 15 people. All we can do is try.

[Rorey]

6. Sounds typical

Politically connected will get the funds.

Good for you for caring about your employees.

[underpants]

7. Thank you.

I deal with several "micro" businesses as defined by state policy. They get first crack at anything under $10k and almost all I do is under that. They have to have less than 15 employees. I deal with them one a first name basis via phone and email. Some just buy from big boxes and mark it up a bit. That's fine. It's part of the policy.

I don't know how many are going to stay open during these. I do have two sizable order that I will get quotes on tomorrow.

[SheltieLover]

8. So glad you are taking care of your employees!

Precisely why Auntie Maxine's proposal of $2K/month needs to be a reality.

This would drive repukes to new levels of insanity, no doubt.

I am far from an economist, but it isn't difficult to see how mass home & vehicle forclosures & repos, along with dwelling rental evictions will rapidly occur en masse. 💔😭

Providing a universal basic income throughout this pandemic is the only way I can see to prevent a rapid meltdown of the entire system.

Expensive? You bet, but a tiny drop in the bucket compared to the incomprehensibly immence corporate gift that was just doled out.

Lets hope common sense rears its head soon!

[3Hotdogs]

9. What products do you sell?

[MontanaMama]

10. We manufacture and sell a product

called Habitat Rock. Am I allowed to say the name of it here on DU? It’s an artificial rock product made of polyurethane foam. It is used in taxidermy habitats, museum dioramas, retail installations such as Cabela’s and Field & Stream stores etc. we have just begun producing an outdoor product for landscaping and exterior decorative use as well. My husband developed it in 2011 and it has really taken off...so much so that I quit my job in the medical field to come manage orders and shipping. It isn’t glamorous but it pays the mortgage and I get to be with my kiddo after school. Thanks for asking.

[3Hotdogs]

11. Cool.