Very interesting to read all of your responses. As one of the hardest hit segments from the pandemic, I am going to share some information. Warning: do not read further if you only want to read and think about positive things right now.
As the owner of 2 small restaurants, both of them closed, this is the biggest challenge of my life. Our local population is small and 25% live at or below the poverty line, while another 50% are retirees on fixed incomes. What has kept us in business is tourism, to Yosemite National Park. The park is closed, if it re-opens, we will re-open for takeout. But right now takeout for our small population is a money losing proposition. I have applied for the PPP loan and an EIDL ... it's crickets. I was supposed to get a $10K advance on the EIDL in 72 hours, which should have been April 2. Today is April 10. At this point it's a waiting game. If I even get a form email from someone, it can turn around my entire day as I feel some hope. I check my email every hour, and take every call that comes in, although most calls are still sales pitches, now I have to politely decline because I feel bad about hanging up.
The PPP is a broad program. If a business is under 500 employees, they can apply. So a grocery store whose sales are up 50% can apply, and get 2.5 months of free payroll because it is no problem for them to retain (actually exceed) their 2019 payroll count. The government has picked winners and losers. Unintentionally I hope. So the more successful the business, the more likely that the loans will be fully forgiven. My accountant's estimate is that I will get 10% of the loan forgiven, if I get it.
Prior to the pandemic, 50% of the food dollar in California was spent at restaurants. That has dropped dramatically, and where there are sales it is fast food drive thrus. Starbucks business was down 70% compared to last year, but they had 2.5Bil in cash and were able to access another 3.5Bil in loans. With 15K stores, that means they need an additional $400K per store to survive the pandemic. And they are doing it without government help. I am impressed. I am asking for $72K, I doubt that will be enough, even if I get it. Who knows if I will be in business in 6 or 12 months. I certainly hope so. I have poured all of my profits into remodeling -- the building was in dire need and it was a lease requirement to do it in the first 16 months of my lease.
I am hoping for one thing: that people will see the benefit of visiting parks again. Our international travel numbers will be devastated, probably down 90% this year but less than that in 2021. But maybe regional and US visitors will want to get out and travel again, in the safety of their own cars?
I feel airlines and manufacturers have a huge public awareness task. Apparently, in newer planes, the air is filtered so frequently that the air quality is safer than office buildings and on par with hospitals. So the challenge will be to communicate safety and affordability.
https://www.tripsavvy.com/air-.....ight-54164
One thing for sure, Mother Nature is loving this drop in travel. Apparently the drop in pollution can be seen from space.
