Commentary: Livelihoods Have Been Destroyed
Commentary from a Santa Cruz County business owner
I own a home and co-own and operate two (soon to be 3) businesses across all districts in the County of Santa Cruz, with the exception of one. Under normal circumstances, our three businesses will generate more than $7 million dollars in revenue that is reinvested directly into our local economy. Our lives, as well as our employees and their families will be severely harmed if the Regional Stay-At-Home Order is implemented. We are just three small businesses and I know there are many others just like us, whose lives have already been or will be ruined.
To begin with, the Regional Stay-At-Home Order on its surface is punitive to Santa Cruz County residents, who as of December 3rd had 51% ICU availability. If looking at counties on a case-by-case basis, as was done in March, there would be zero chance that we would be shut down again. By lumping multiple counties together, the State is intentionally mandating a lockdown in areas where no additional restrictions are necessary to control the virus or insure our hospitals are not overwhelmed.
Needless to say, I was shocked when I learned that several of the counties in our region chose to implement the order before it was necessary, causing intentional harm and suffering to businesses, their employees and families, and the communities that rely on them. Conversely, I was relieved to hear that Santa Cruz did not join this premature lockdown and assumed this was because our leadership realized Santa Cruz has done such an excellent job complying with the previous orders and mandates that have kept our community safe. Therefore, I was stunned to learn that Santa Cruz has been considering implementing the Regional Stay-At-Home Order before it is actually required!
In June, a decision was made by the County to align with the State’s less restrictive guidelines. I viewed this as an effort to correct course and provide some relief to the businesses that had suffered unnecessarily under the heavy hand of the initial lockdowns. It brought much relief to small businesses, who even with the new tier restrictions continue to suffer immensely, but with no apparent headway against the virus.
I need you to know that I had to cancel my family’s health insurance so that we could pay our mortgage and so that we could afford to continue to pay for the health insurance for our employees. Meanwhile, we are being forced to sell our home in anticipation of not being able to make our mortgage and property tax payments as a result of the regional shutdown orders. I’ve worked my entire life towards a secure retirement and that is crumbling before my eyes.
It is common knowledge that the restaurant industry suffered more than any other industry. We spent $150K to expand our indoor dining operations, only to have indoor seating shutdown. Then we invested $50K to expand our outdoor seating, add heaters, tables, licensing and now even this will be shut down.
Multiple lives and livelihoods have been destroyed as a result of these lockdowns. When does my life matter? When does my mental health matter? When do my finances matter? How many small businesses must close? How many lives have to be destroyed? How many suicides must be reported? We are suffering! These lockdowns make no sense. Per county data, there are enough ICU beds. Per county data, this is not community acquired. Dr. Fauci has even said we do not need to close our schools or our economy. Why are we told to listen to the experts, when county decision makers won’t?
Logically, if the other counties in our region have locked down early, then our region may never fall below the 15% threshold established by the governor. I am urging you at a minimum not to support or approve an early implementation of the state’s regional order and hope that you will push the governor to reopen our communities and our economy if the new lockdowns have no impact on containing the virus.
Name withheld on request
Editor’s note: while the name of the writer of the commentary has been withheld on their request, the origin and authenticity of the letter has been verified.
