04/25/2020
Dear Governor Ivey,
While I live in the same state as you, I feel a world away. You asked us to help you; we did. You asked us to close our business; we did. You asked us to stay home; we did. You asked us to continue to stay at home; we are. So here I am, at home, waiting. You told us, “Don’t worry; unemployment will come,” but it hasn’t. You told us, “Don’t worry; grants are coming,” but they haven’t. You told us, “Don’t worry; forgivable loans are coming,” but they haven’t. So here I am, at home waiting. I wait alongside most of my fellow small business owners, those self-employed and independent contractors. A massive number of Alabama residents are waiting for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, waiting for loan approvals, waiting for stimulus checks, and many who have never needed help are now even waiting for food stamps. For every single one of these programs, we are at the back of the line. For some, we have already been denied. But, still, we wait. Bills come daily and savings continuously dwindle, yet we are still doing our part. It is time you do yours. It is an inconceivable expectation to close “unessential” business, halting all income, and expect us to survive. We need to pay our bills and put food on the table. Without immediate action, you are leaving us no options. How are we to survive? We deserve an answer. Coming soon is no longer acceptable!!!
Signed,
One of the thousands of crippled small business owners in Alabama
