WINTER 2021

140
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
JIM TRUESDELL IN AND OUT OF THE COVID BUBBLE from page 54
Add to these circumstances the political strains of a
divided electorate with an election looming, racial tensions
rising, and violence and crime raging in the cities. We are
going to be dealing with mental health problems resulting
from this for years to come.
With respect to business continuity, the National
Federation of Independent Business’s research center
just released results of a survey of small business owners
which shed some light on the effect of the pandemic on the
ability of small enterprises to persevere in this situation.
It revealed that one-in-five (21%) of small business owners
say they will have to close their doors if current economic
conditions do not improve over the next six months. Forty
per cent will face shutdown if current conditions persist
for 7 to 12 months. Of course, it is easy to imagine the
effect on businesses whose products involve people
congregating in what would seem to be risky situations
- restaurants, theatres, entertainment venues and the
like. Other businesses where customers have broken
established habits of shopping or patronage are likely to
find the road back to be long and difficult.
The survey also showed a significant challenge to
employers seeking to hire employees or to keep workers
showing up in the face of enhanced unemployment benefits
which made it unappealing for some people to work for the
previously established wage offerings. There was also
considerable concern about the threat of liability if legal
action is brought against an employer based on decisions
and actions relating to keeping the business operating with
protective procedures in the face of the Covid threat. Some
of these concerns have been mitigated by the Federal PPP
loan programs designed to tide businesses over for a
period when revenues are seriously decreased. Many have
already spent those funds, however, as they kept workers
on the payroll despite drastically reduced activity.
The answer lies in promoting active compliance with
social distancing rules while the wheels of commerce, the
process of education, and the functioning of institutions
go forward. Raising an imminent threat of renewed “total
shutdown” will give rise to increased fears and insecurities
that will carry a social cost far greater than the impact of
the pandemic itself!
JIM TRUESDELL