Coronavirus
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We had to close my wife's spa last night. No curbside pick-up or work from home options for them. 55 people laid-off. What a kick in the gut. So many appts cancelled. Hopefully it's for the best, hopefully the business will come back. Hopefully we can pay the rent.
Absolutely insane.
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So how is it allowable under the constitution to force private business closure? Of course the government can decide to close public things like schools etc and make recommendations that gatherings be limited. However they have no grounds to shut down private restaurants, bars etc. This is getting out of hand.
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So how is it allowable under the constitution to force private business closure? Of course the government can decide to close public things like schools etc and make recommendations that gatherings be limited. However they have no grounds to shut down private restaurants, bars etc. This is getting out of hand.
Easy. They say close your doors or we will revoke your permits and licenses that are issued by their municipality and county. They also limit gatherings to 10 people or less. Most restaurants have more than 10 people working at a time and now you can't have any customers so why would you stay open? Even bars have maybe two or three people working. Is it economical to stay open for 7 customers at a time? Would that hourly revenue cover the cost of wages, vendors, rent, utilities, etc.? Probably not.
I would disagree it's getting out of hand. China shut down everything and their daily new cases have effectively flat-lined while the rest of the world's are increasing exponentially:
Wuhan is also essentially the only region in China that has any remaining cases of the virus. Most other regions have a small handful of cases left.
Cumulative cases:
And active cases:
They're a communist country, so it's easier for them to do this, but it worked.
It is also my understanding that the State is working to put together assistance packages for small businesses to stay in business. I believe the WEDC is working on a low-interest loan for small businesses to cover closures. At least that is my understanding from talking to some of the business owners in the downtown where I work. It's unclear at this point if those loans are going to have a long-term repayment schedule, or how low of an interest rate they'll have, but I believe there will be some options made available soon.
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I realize how they are doing it and small businesses have no way to resist. Notice large companies and factories aren't shutting down, they have money to contest.
Great some assistance packages! Oh wait where did that money come from in the first place? It's just money we all gave them in the first place.
Since it isn't publicized here is the actual Official executive order https://evers.wi.gov/Documents/COVID19/UPDATEDOrder10People.pdf
It references Wis Statute 252.02(3) as allowing it to enforce the order. https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/252/02
What that says is "(3) The department may close schools and forbid public gatherings in schools, churches, and other places to control outbreaks and epidemics."
Apparently "other places" is broad enough to fit just about everything. Wouldn't large industrial plants be an issue where several hundred people are working together all day every day? They can't target that because it would get contested and thrown out so fast. Instead they will go after small businesses. Massive abuse of power in my opinion.
Also apparently it is forgotten that the first amendment of the constitution says that the government shall make no law restricting religious gatherings so that makes the Wisconsin statute in conflict with the constitution.
Rant over.
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Factories fall under Exemption No. 12:
Also, that document has been publicized. It was posted on TMJ4's website yesterday.
Well, yeah, the Economic Development agencies are typically funded by State and Federal dollars that are collected through taxes. I mean, they could also say go fuck yourselves and good luck on the other end and not offer any assistance? There are also local banks who are deferring mortgages and loan payments to offset costs as well - those dollars don't come out of your pocket.
There is no perfect solution. My interpretation of it is restaurants, small business, bars, etc. are usually close quarters where people are very close together. Large manufacturing facilities may have 500 people, but they're spread out over 100,000 square feet, and they're not shoulder to shoulder.
Background information: I'm an Urban Planner and work in the Department of Community Development for Menomonee Falls. A large part of my job is working with our Downtown Business Improvement District and the businesses down there. I have been in communication with a lot of the business owners in our downtown and know how it affects them. It's not great. It sucks. There's really no other way to put it. It sucks.
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By publicized I just meant that most people get their information second hand instead of just reading the three pages directly from the source. If everyone did that there would be a lot less misinformation floating around.
I realize there is no perfect solution. Factories I've worked in don't allow for social distancing though, Hormel has rooms full of shoulder to shoulder people trimming meat for example. Once a few people have it in a place like that the whole place will have it. Other illnesses do the same thing in those places why would this be any different.
My point is that they should be making recommendations and best practices, a lot of companies were already sending people to work from home if at all possible. I'm a government employee now, Technical college instructor, they have every right to close that because it is directly run by the government just like the public K-12 schools.
And if you choose to close your business temporarily that's good. I think the mandatory closing of private business is over reaching. I am sure later there will be lot's of court action to make black and white what is now a gray area because nothing like this has been tried before.
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this is tough for sure, I will have very limited work till this is over. sorry to hear you had to shut the business down. can you get creative and keep a couple people around and have a few appointments? 100% i doubt the government can physically enforce you being closed and they sure as shit dont have time to send you ceases and desists and get lawyers involved, or whatever. the world will return to normal, it always does. have a conversation with your landlord, maybe they and you can survive on reduced rent in the mean time? cant hurt to ask! it wont help them if you have to close shop and leave, theyd rather keep you
you have to hope individual people have prepared financially for something like this. i've always been taught to have about a years worth of expenses close at hand incase income were to cease. i believe we will also see mercy from these big companies, its already starting to happen. i bet we'll see mortgage and rent forgiveness instead of foreclosures for people have a hard time in the short term.
if we work together we can get through this.
Dan
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By publicized I just meant that most people get their information second hand instead of just reading the three pages directly from the source. If everyone did that there would be a lot less misinformation floating around.
I realize there is no perfect solution. Factories I've worked in don't allow for social distancing though, Hormel has rooms full of shoulder to shoulder people trimming meat for example. Once a few people have it in a place like that the whole place will have it. Other illnesses do the same thing in those places why would this be any different.
My point is that they should be making recommendations and best practices, a lot of companies were already sending people to work from home if at all possible. I'm a government employee now, Technical college instructor, they have every right to close that because it is directly run by the government just like the public K-12 schools.
And if you choose to close your business temporarily that's good. I think the mandatory closing of private business is over reaching. I am sure later there will be lot's of court action to make black and white what is now a gray area because nothing like this has been tried before.
Gotcha. I think it's a really tough balancing act. Some of the factories producing good for day to day life are currently being weighed as more important than small businesses. In this exact moment, is it more important that toilet paper is available than being able to pick up some reclaimed wood earrings? Maybe. But it's destroying some people's lives. We have some businesses in our downtown who have already said they will most likely not make it through this.
It's a shitty situation all around.
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This just came through to my email for anyone who has a small business with 20 or fewer employees: https://wedc.org/programs-and-resources/small-business-2020/
I would contact your local Economic Development Department or Planning Department to find out who and how you would be applying and what CDFI is most local to you.
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this is tough for sure, I will have very limited work till this is over. sorry to hear you had to shut the business down. can you get creative and keep a couple people around and have a few appointments? 100% i doubt the government can physically enforce you being closed and they sure as shit dont have time to send you ceases and desists and get lawyers involved, or whatever. the world will return to normal, it always does. have a conversation with your landlord, maybe they and you can survive on reduced rent in the mean time? cant hurt to ask! it wont help them if you have to close shop and leave, theyd rather keep you
you have to hope individual people have prepared financially for something like this. i've always been taught to have about a years worth of expenses close at hand incase income were to cease. i believe we will also see mercy from these big companies, its already starting to happen. i bet we'll see mortgage and rent forgiveness instead of foreclosures for people have a hard time in the short term.
if we work together we can get through this.
The wording that got us was in the social distancing. It said something to the effect of 6 feet of space or more, and if closer is required, limit it to less than 10 mins. The whole spa is designed around services with a therapist/nailtech/stylist physically touching a client for 30-90 mins. it would be easy to limit the nail room and salon to no more than 10 people but the touching is impossible to get away from.
My wife has cancelled literally 100's of appts over the next few weeks. Most clients completely understood, some even said, "well, I really trust your cleaning procedures, are you sure I can't come in?" It came down to liability. We'd be going directly against the government order/recommendation if someone were to get it and trace it back to us, we'd be liable, or at least have a battle on our hands.
Too bad that grant is for businesses less than 20 employees only. That might work for mine if the economy doesn't recover, we only have 6 people here. We are looking into loan offerings from SBA. Long terms, low interest rates. Hopefully we can make that work.
I agree we can get through this, lets just hope there is something left at the end to make it worth it.
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The wording that got us was in the social distancing. It said something to the effect of 6 feet of space or more, and if closer is required, limit it to less than 10 mins. The whole spa is designed around services with a therapist/nailtech/stylist physically touching a client for 30-90 mins. it would be easy to limit the nail room and salon to no more than 10 people but the touching is impossible to get away from.
My wife has cancelled literally 100's of appts over the next few weeks. Most clients completely understood, some even said, "well, I really trust your cleaning procedures, are you sure I can't come in?" It came down to liability. We'd be going directly against the government order/recommendation if someone were to get it and trace it back to us, we'd be liable, or at least have a battle on our hands.
Too bad that grant is for businesses less than 20 employees only. That might work for mine if the economy doesn't recover, we only have 6 people here. We are looking into loan offerings from SBA. Long terms, low interest rates. Hopefully we can make that work.
I agree we can get through this, lets just hope there is something left at the end to make it worth it.
I'm really sorry to hear that's happening to your family. The same girl has been cutting my hair for 10 years or so and has been cutting my sons hair since he was 2 1/2 or so and she had to text me today to let me know that the salon she rents a spot in had to shut down because they couldn't comply with the criteria. It sucks and I really feel for her because I know she busts her ass at what she does and this could potentially be devastating to her and her husband. I don't think a lot of people really grasp the economic reach this is going to have and how many businesses may disappear because of this. As a country we're going to need to return to some form of normal in spite of the spread of the virus otherwise we'll end up with a longer lasting economic downturn that's going to destroy a lot of small business and create a larger gap in market share and wealth.
I am still out visiting customers right now and their are some dramatic differences in how this is impacting different shops. The power equipment shops still seem to be very busy and medium truck seems to be a sector not too badly hit but the difference between two passenger/light truck shops can be dramatic. From one shop still steady to another not seeing a car all day and I can't even say that reputation has had anything to do with it because I've seen shops with excellent reputations way down from normal. A lot of shop owners are worried they won't be able to make payroll based on car count right now and it's scary. I've stopped trying to "sell" customers during this time and really just try and bring some normalcy to their day. This doesn't mean i'm not taking orders, sharing specials and setting up new accounts but i'm definitely not putting the "hard sell" on these people.
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It's just money they stole from us in the first place.
FTFW
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Just wafflestomp it and shower off.
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people can be just f*in the worst. i had this conversation today:
DOUCHE GUY: I'm pissed everything is closed, i tried to go to the gym and its closed.
ME: Just workout at home, places need to be closed.
DOUCHE GUY: No they dont, we just need to let people get sick. Only the weak ones might die.
ME: There will be lots of 'not weak' people who will die unnecessarily. We should listen to what they say.
DOUCHE GUY:Well I'm still going to work, and going out to do things and not staying home, I dont care.
*I hear his kids playing in the background*
ME: You have kids and are married? What about your family?
DOUCHE GUY: Kids dont get sick and my wife is a healthy person.
Way to teach your kids to be an ignorant selfish asshole. Mostly I'm worried if more people act like this we will never solve this problem.
Dan
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People with that attitude are a big reason why the goverment/police are mandating closings and enforcing these things... if everyone listened and followed instructions as best they can it could be significantly easier to control. Don't be a 'patient #31'
https://graphics.reuters.com/CHINA-HEALTH-SOUTHKOREA-CLUSTERS/0100B5G33SB/index.html
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People with that attitude are a big reason why the goverment/police are mandating closings and enforcing these things... if everyone listened and followed instructions as best they can it could be significantly easier to control. Don't be a 'patient #31'
https://graphics.reuters.com/CHINA-HEALTH-SOUTHKOREA-CLUSTERS/0100B5G33SB/index.html
Holy crap. I should really send that to a couple of my friends that are partying down south for spring break. Might put things in perspective for them.
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This is scary because it's probably true. For those unaware North Korea claims no cases of COVID-19. Right...
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This is scary because it's probably true. For those unaware North Korea claims no cases of COVID-19. Right...
Right, Little Rocket Man also thinks he is a supreme world power. Probably not a reliable source of information. He also says his country isn't malnourished and dying...
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We had absentee voting here starting on Wednesday. Thankfully they locked our door so no one in the lobby could come into our office, but the Clerks department bought a shitload of cheap pens so that way no one had to share a pen when filling out their ballet. And the common response to that the last few days was "what a good use of my tax dollars" (in a sarcastic and not sincere way). Those pens cost maybe a couple hundred bucks. Big picture, not even a drop in the bucket, but we're the bad guys for trying to keep people safe during this.
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