The Last O.G. is back and Season 3 kicks off with the season premiere titled, “Lookin’ at the Front Door” where, after a failed food truck business, Tray (Tracy Morgan) is on the hunt for his own place (since he really can’t take living with his mama, portrayed by Anna Marie Horsford, anymore).
A new poll released Friday by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and MetLife reveals 25% of small businesses say they’re two months or less from closing permanently amid the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The poll also showed 11% of businesses are less than a month away from permanently going out of business. Additionally, almost a quarter of small businesses have already shut down temporarily due to the coronavirus outbreak. For businesses that have not closed, 40% say they are likely to close at least temporarily within the next two weeks.
The statistics mean a total of 54% of all small businesses report that they have closed or expect to close temporarily in the next two weeks. When asked what proposals might offer the most relief, three key provisions in the coronavirus relief package passed last week got the highest responses.
Fifty-six percent of small business owners said direct cash payments to Americans would be the most helpful form of aid from the government, followed by loans and financial aid (30%), and suspending payroll taxes (21%).
Neil Bradley, chief policy officer at the U.S Chamber of Commerce said banks are ready and willing to help, but they’re awaiting clear guidelines from the Trump administration.
“As the poll results show, small business owners are looking for loans and financial aid to ensure they do not have to shut their doors or go bankrupt because of the coronavirus. American banks are ready to help, but they need clear guidelines from the Administration,” Bradley said. “American banks will be on the front lines to help businesses survive during this pandemic.”
The coronavirus relief package known as the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, includes more than $349 billion in forgivable loans for businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic can use to cover costs including payroll and rent. Businesses and nonprofits can apply for those loans through the Paycheck Protection Program. Trump officials say that over $1 billion in loans have already been applied for.
Because of the help outlined in the bill and through savings of their own, some entrepreneurs have remained optimistic. Almost 1 in 4 (23%) small business owners expect to hire in the next year.
Bradley added that business owners shouldn’t be worried about the funds running out.
“No one wants a small business to close because they were the next in line when the fund ran out,” Bradley said in a press call on the poll. “The $350 billion is a data-driven number, so we want to make sure everyone gets the money they need to keep their business running.
“What we’re trying to do is to provide as much support and save as many businesses as we can,” Bradley added.
Christel C. Slaughter, CEO of SSA Consultants and U.S. Chamber Small Business Council chair said although things look grim right now, the government is making sure not to leave the backbone of the American dream behind.
“This is an extraordinarily difficult time for small business owners across the country. Many are facing significant disruptions and as the data show many are on the brink of closure,” said Slaughter. “While it is difficult to predict the future, the CARES Act provides much-needed aid and small business owners who can retain their core customers and top employees will be able to rebound more quickly.”
The coronavirus outbreak has affected the U.S. job market for both blue- and white-collar workers. Additionally, the Federal Reserve expects 47 million people to lose their job.
The music world is still mourning the loss of the incomparable Bill Withers. The soul singer passed away March 30 from heart complications at the age of 81. In a statement, the “Ain’t No Sunshine” musician’s family said: “As private a life as he lived close to intimate family and friends, his music forever belongs to…
A new poll released Friday by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and MetLife reveals 25% of small businesses say they’re two months or less from closing permanently amid the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The poll also showed 11% of businesses are less than a month away from permanently going out of business. Additionally, almost a quarter of small businesses have already shut down temporarily due to the coronavirus outbreak. For businesses that have not closed, 40% say they are likely to close at least temporarily within the next two weeks.
The statistics mean a total of 54% of all small businesses report that they have closed or expect to close temporarily in the next two weeks. When asked what proposals might offer the most relief, three key provisions in the coronavirus relief package passed last week got the highest responses.
Fifty-six percent of small business owners said direct cash payments to Americans would be the most helpful form of aid from the government, followed by loans and financial aid (30%), and suspending payroll taxes (21%).
Neil Bradley, chief policy officer at the U.S Chamber of Commerce said banks are ready and willing to help, but they’re awaiting clear guidelines from the Trump administration.
“As the poll results show, small business owners are looking for loans and financial aid to ensure they do not have to shut their doors or go bankrupt because of the coronavirus. American banks are ready to help, but they need clear guidelines from the Administration,” Bradley said. “American banks will be on the front lines to help businesses survive during this pandemic.”
The coronavirus relief package known as the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, includes more than $349 billion in forgivable loans for businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic can use to cover costs including payroll and rent. Businesses and nonprofits can apply for those loans through the Paycheck Protection Program. Trump officials say that over $1 billion in loans have already been applied for.
Because of the help outlined in the bill and through savings of their own, some entrepreneurs have remained optimistic. Almost 1 in 4 (23%) small business owners expect to hire in the next year.
Bradley added that business owners shouldn’t be worried about the funds running out.
“No one wants a small business to close because they were the next in line when the fund ran out,” Bradley said in a press call on the poll. “The $350 billion is a data-driven number, so we want to make sure everyone gets the money they need to keep their business running.
“What we’re trying to do is to provide as much support and save as many businesses as we can,” Bradley added.
Christel C. Slaughter, CEO of SSA Consultants and U.S. Chamber Small Business Council chair said although things look grim right now, the government is making sure not to leave the backbone of the American dream behind.
“This is an extraordinarily difficult time for small business owners across the country. Many are facing significant disruptions and as the data show many are on the brink of closure,” said Slaughter. “While it is difficult to predict the future, the CARES Act provides much-needed aid and small business owners who can retain their core customers and top employees will be able to rebound more quickly.”
The coronavirus outbreak has affected the U.S. job market for both blue- and white-collar workers. Additionally, the Federal Reserve expects 47 million people to lose their job.
As coronavirus cases continue to increase exponentially across the country and particularly in hard-hit New York, a tiger at the Bronx Zoo is the latest to test positive for COVID-19.
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The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo released a statement announcing the news that a Malayan tiger named Nadia tested positive for COVID-19. The zoo says that Nadia, who is 4, had “developed a dry cough” along with her sister Azul, as well as two Amur tigers and three African lions. While Nadia tested positive for the coronavirus, the other six only showed symptoms. According to the zoo, “all are expected to recover.” The four tigers live in the Tiger Mountain exhibit region at the popular zoo.
The United States Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed Nadia’s positive test result.
“Our cats were infected by a person caring for them who was asymptomatically infected with the virus or before that person developed symptoms,” the zoo released in a statement on Sunday. “Appropriate preventive measures are now in place for all staff who are caring for them, and the other cats in our four WCS zoos, to prevent further exposure of any other of our zoo cats.”
“We tested the cat out of an abundance of caution and will ensure any knowledge we gain about COVID-19 will contribute to the world’s continuing understanding of this novel coronavirus,” the statement continued. “Though they have experienced some decrease in appetite, the cats at the Bronx Zoo are otherwise doing well under veterinary care and are bright, alert, and interactive with their keepers. It is not known how this disease will develop in big cats since different species can react differently to novel infections, but we will continue to monitor them closely and anticipate full recoveries.”
Officials from the zoo also took to Twitter to break down the difference between testing for humans and testing for animals.
From Dr. Paul Calle, Bronx Zoo chief veterinarian; “The COVID-19 testing that was performed on our Malayan tiger Nadia was performed in a veterinary school laboratory and is not the same test as is used for people.
— Bronx Zoo (@BronxZoo) April 6, 2020
You cannot send human samples to the veterinary laboratory, and you cannot send animal tests to the human laboratories, so there is no competition for testing between these very different situations.”
— Bronx Zoo (@BronxZoo) April 6, 2020
READ MORE: Chris Cuomo draws almost 3 million viewers battling COVID-19 on air
Although Nadia was likely infected by her caretaker, there is “no evidence that any person has been infected with COVID-19 in the U.S. by animals, including by pet dogs or cats,” the zoo statement adds.
Since March 16, the Wildlife Conservation Society has temporarily shut down its four zoos and aquarium because of the growing pandemic.
The post Tiger in NYC zoo reportedly tests positive for COVID-19 appeared first on TheGrio.
