The Bright Side

There is always a bright side to every situation, or so my mother told me. I know the current times in which we are living are causing angst and some of us are finding it hard to see the light. COVID-19 and quarantines are not something we could ever plan for.

I am hearing from so many citizens who are truly worried about their future and what happens to their families. Many are signing up for unemployment. The system is overwhelmed trying to process the claims.

Fortunately, due to prudent financial planning and a great economy in North Carolina, we have built up a healthy surplus in our unemployment fund. After owing the federal government $2.8 billion in 2012, North Carolina is out of debt and has a cushion to help those who are unemployed.

So many small businesses have been forced to close. There are many who will not be able to reopen if this crisis does not end quickly. I have listened to their stories and offered whatever help I can. Most do not want the business loans being offered, they just want to open their doors and get back to work. As a small business owner, myself, I understand these very real fears.

Almost half of the employees today are employed by small businesses. Most are not wealthy by any means. According to a study by Fundera, 86% of small business owners take a salary of less than $100,000 per year and 30% do not take a salary at all. Of those who do take a salary, most are paid between $20,000-$50,000 per year.

The median salary for a restaurant owner is around $60,000 per year. Obviously, when your doors are closed for a few weeks or longer, that is a huge hole in your earnings capacity.

A business owner called me and was very upset. He said, “I never thought my government would put me out of business.” His business has been operating for 58 years. He is worried. I am worried for him and many more like him.

Another business owner told me, “if I have a choice of getting sick or feeding my family and saving my livelihood, I will take getting sick.” Of course, he is not able to make that choice. I am worried for him also.

At some point, we will have to ask, “is the cure worse than the illness?” For now, we must wait and see. That is the hardest part, feeling helpless.

Everyday since the crisis began, I spend most of my days on conference calls. There is so much to hear and the landscape changes constantly. We have briefings with the White House, the Governor and The Department of Health and Human Services. As well as many others with constituents and colleagues. Everyone has a full plate and they are working very hard to keep us all safe and healthy. We are all in this together and everyone has a role to play.

I am honored to be able to assist some of you who have contacted me. Please continue to do so if I can help in any way. I invite you to go to my Facebook page or website for links to agencies that are helping.

Now, let’s look at that bright side my mother talked about. Families are having time to spend together and that is so rare today. Grocery stores are packed, and shelves are empty. That means that families are likely sharing meals together. That too is rare. Perhaps many of you are watching movies you have been hoping to see or reading books that have been gathering dust on your shelves.

Today I am counting my blessings. And there are so many. My family is still healthy. We have all the provisions we need and are comfortably quarantined at home.

Stay at home is not such a bad thing after all. I am thinking that I might have time to clean my closet. Notice, I said thinking about it. Not sure how long I will have to think about it.