Name: Small business owners face squeeze from coronavirus pandemic
Uploaded: 2020-03-30T04:00:56.000Z
Duration: 6 min 6 s
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many blindsided by all of this and looking for some kip compassion is Congress finalizes that $2 trillion economic stimulus plan they are racing to get much needed cash businesses that employ fewer than 500 workers.

Adverbs of degree

America's 30 million small businesses, those catering shops, Web design firms, bookstores and, yes, even comedy clubs is Devin Dwyer discovered.

The Corona virus crisis is taking a toll even on those whose primary purpose is to make us laugh.

Stand up comedy has gone silent in the nation's capital.

It's not funny, you know, that needs to be clear.

No joke for small business owners like Alison Jaffe, who's been helping people laugh off their stress at her DC improv club for nearly 20 years.

More damage to you, that the virus is going to hurt you, but that feeling's gonna hurt you, too.

After novel Corona Virus hit, she canceled upcoming acts, refunded tickets and laid off all 50 of her employees, including her husband.

We knew it was coming, but I just you know, said it and he's said Well, this is the first time I got laid this month.

That's what happens when you work in a comedy club and marry a comedian.

Uh, they have that kind of which was funny.

And then it was like, All right, we'll get through it.

It's been I just the word out and keep telling and saying is horrific.

Many American small business owners say they're very worried about survival.

Experts believe alleviating those fears is critical to stabilize in the U.

Now in free fall, This crisis is one of the worst things I've ever seen for small businesses.

Small Business Administration through the great recession and recovery.

It actually far exceeds the problems that we had in 2009 And that's because half the people who work in this country own or work for a small business.

So so that's half our jobs, and they have very low cash buffers.

On average, they have about 26 days of cash.

So this is really this is really a race to survive is absolutely because when you run out of cash is a small business, you're dead.

The cash crunch worries Adam Water s used bookstore owner in D.

Who just completed a major renovation of his shop and has little savings.

Having people stop coming to the space is necessary for help.

Health and safety, but dramatically stop.

How dramatically has the business dropped off?

50% I think closer to probably closer to 75% water.

It's laid off four employees this month and is doing all he can to keep three others on payroll.

He's nervous about taking on more debt with new loans, but says that new stimulus plan might help.

It seems like that might be happening, which is important that they're giving certain provisions to small businesses.

Congress is expected to send more than $350 billion in emergency loans to small business owners, and with a major perk, they won't have to pay back the government.

They use the money to pay rent or their workers take that feeling today to allow us to do that.

If those there for forgetting Pia Caress own owns one of the only women owned distilleries in the world.

She makes her craft vodka and bourbon in the shadow of the U.

Capitol, where she used to work as chief of staff to then Congresswoman Gabby Giffords.

And you know, staying calm is certainly important factor figuring out how to find moments of clarity and otherwise cat.

But the question is, do small spirit producers like us survive and, you know, remains to be seen.

For now, survival means making hand Sanitizer and Hillary were uniquely positioned to have on hand one of the hand cleaner.

Paris owns distillery, churning out small bottles of homemade gel filling a 1000 gallon order just this week from the D.

People are gonna flow freely and respect each other and spread the virus.

So I expelled this owner who's suffering would be very, very glad.

Make sure that they continue to shut down until we kill this thing.

The White House and some economists, air pushing to lift the business, shut down as soon as possible.

President Trump, setting a goal of Easter April 12th weeks ahead of what many public health experts say maybe safe would you support that?

I don't That's not, I think, responsible for me as a business owner.

I don't know that Trump's gonna know that.

And earlier from Mayor Bowser and other D C health officials than I would have you looking at this panic that you're gonna have to shut for good.

But I know that we will not always be this.

That spirit of determination combined with a financial boost from government, a cause for cautious optimism that despite a financial body blow from the virus, small businesses can survive and continue to thrive.

I know will be filled with people again that want to be here, that wanna laugh, that need a laugh.

For ABC News Live I'm Devin Dwyer in Washington.

Yes, we could all certainly use a good laugh.

George Stephanopoulos here thanks for checking out the ABC News YouTube channel.

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