None have escaped the economic impact of the closure order to prevent the pandemic from progressing.
The closure of businesses ordered by California authorities as an emergency measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in the state, keeps Los Angeles small businesses on edge because of lack of income.
"I am very afraid, 'panicked. ’ I don't know what is the future that awaits us. Who guarantees me that when businesses are reopened, customers will return immediately, ”says Renato Cifuentes, owner of Fernando’s Taylor Shop, a tailor shop in downtown Los Angeles, located on 16th and Los Angeles streets.
A Goldman Sachs survey that included more than 1,500 small business owners across the country, revealed that 96% have already been impacted on their earnings by the coronavirus.
Two weeks ago, Fernando began to have losses because customers no longer came to mend their clothes.
"I had to let go of three workers. Thursday March 19 was the last day I opened, "he says.
Renato is a 48-year-old tailor. The only provider in his home made up of his wife and 14-year-old son.
"I'm going to talk to the landlord to see if I am exempt from rent this month, but I would like to know what supports the federal government is going to give us for all small businesses," he asks worried.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that there will be microloans for small entrepreneurs from $ 5,000 to $ 20,000 to cover working capitalBecause cash is critical in this unprecedented crisis.
The interest rate would be 0% for a period of six months to one year, or 3% to 5% for up to five years. For more information about these loans or to apply, visit: lamayor.org/loan.
However, this announcement has not been of much comfort to small merchants afflicted by the forced closure of operations under the order "Safer at Home"
Patricia Guerrero, owner of an event organization business, and a position in the swap meet As it is known to the tianguis in the USA, she admits feeling "desperate" and "going crazy" because she has been without income for two weeks because of the coronavirus.
By banning mass events and closing the swamp meet, your small business is over.
“I get up, I sit at the computer to see what I can think of that I can do during the quarantine to generate some money, but the ideas do not come to my mind. In the afternoon, I go to the mountain to walk and return tired. That helps me relax a little and be able to sleep, ”he says.
Patricia does not know how she will pay the rent of $ 2,500 from her house in Santa Clarita. His sister and a friend depend on his business, who have also lost their jobs.
"We're screwed! This closure will last at least two months; and when it ends, people will run out of money; and the last thing he will think about is spending for shows, ”she says dejectedly.
David Acuña, a stylist, who works in downtown Los Angeles, admits that at times terrifying thoughts invade himBut then she calms down and thinks that everything will be fine.
“I am afraid that I have contracted the coronavirus. You never know who of the people you serve in the room is infected and without symptoms yet. As stylists we cannot maintain social distance. When we apply the shampoo, we are practically face to face with the client, breathing the same air, ”he says.
The fear of becoming infected caused her to cancel her last appointments on Thursday, March 19. Furthermore, the demand for hairdressing services had dropped a lot.
“Many of my clients are attorneys who work in the skyscrapers of downtown Los Angeles. Now they are working from home, "says the stylist.
Fortunately, he says, he has a savings reserve that will allow him to survive financially for three months. “I am very fortunate to have that money saved. So I'm not going back to the living room for now. I'd rather lose money than die from the coronavirus. The money will be of no use to me when I'm dead, ”he says ruefully.
In the $ 750 billion legislative package brought to Congress against coronavirus and the economic crisis, there is a proposal for a six-month moratorium on small business loan payments to be declared.
Meanwhile, small business owners are encouraged to visit the coronavirus resource page at US Small Business Administration (SBA) .
