If anything’s for certain in our current situation, it’s that the coronavirus has forced businesses, employees and medical workers to adapt to a new kind of normal. Due to its rapid spreading, people everywhere are flocking to supermarkets and grocery stores for everyday essentials in bulk. While grocery stores and their employees are kept busy, many restaurants, malls and other stores are forced to limit their hours or temporarily shut down in an effort to promote social distancing and halt further spreading of the virus. Despite the fact that these closures were put in place for public health and safety reasons, we can’t ignore the fact that one of the biggest negatives of this for many is the recent lack of jobs for people that don’t work in hospitals, as restaurant chefs or at grocery stores providing the public with the products and services they require during this pandemic.
The Impact
Although everyone is affected in some way whether that be a direct or distant link, in terms of jobs it comes down to the people providing the public with the services and goods they need. Many stores deemed “non-essential” have been temporarily closed and most restaurants have been required to carry out delivery and curbside-pick up orders only. Many of my close friends and family members have had their shifts canceled because there is a decrease in demand for servers, bartenders or baristas in places that normally require those services. This means no more money coming in for these individuals and any others who solely depend on their paychecks to thrive.
Universal Leniency
It is easy to get caught up in the craziness when you feel like everyone else is panicking. Not to mention, without a job you might feel like you’re starting to lose control. It’s okay to feel this way. Many working-class citizens, like you, are also concerned with how they are going to pay their rent, or buy groceries, or pay for gas and do their taxes on time all while the virus takes away the main line of income they depend on. Because of the pandemic, many organizations and corporations are adopting what I like to call a “universal leniency policy” where due dates for taxes and fees are being delayed or pushed to a further date to help out people during this financially straining time. For example, the IRS announced that people can delay filing and paying their federal tax bills for up to 90 days to July 15 from April 15. For more information regarding this year’s taxes, you can click the link right here. Also, there are ways to receive unemployment benefits if you meet the designated requirements which vary by state. For more information on unemployment benefits in Florida, visit this website.
Conclusion
During times of high stress, it’s best to keep a level head. Unemployment might be putting a strain on your everyday routine and lifestyle but staying healthy is the main priority. Take care of your own health, your family’s health, check in on friends and others close to you because if one thing’s for sure, we need to support each other and not be quick to panic in this time of need.
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