A bill that guarantees free coronavirus testing for all Americans and boosts federal unemployment insurance was caught between the U.S. House and Senate as of Monday evening.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act would create a national paid sick leave program through the end of 2020, requiring employers with fewer than 500 workers and government employers to provide two weeks of paid sick leave.
It was passed by the U.S. House late on Friday, with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin working through financial technicalities before it can be handed off to the Senate for a vote.
The rush to pass the bill comes on the same day that the White House recommends people avoid gatherings of more than 10 people.
But some members of Congress are wary about the required two weeks of paid sick leave for employees, which might harm small businesses in particular, more than it helps them.
Lee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said the bill is “just one step” but “bold actions are needed” to protect workers impacted by the virus.
Saunders called for immediate funding to state and local governments and permanent sick leave for all Americans in a press call Monday.
Hannah Birdsong, office manager of the Southwest Colorado Small Business Development Center, said coronavirus is a new problem in the area and “people are still trying to figure out what to do.”
Since the economy relies heavily on tourism, the coronavirus “is going to impact businesses here for sure,” Birdsong said. Ski resorts, for example, are under mandatory closure until at least March 22.
As of right now, since the coronavirus has been declared a disaster, businesses can apply for loans from the Small Business Administration.
But like Congress, small business owners in Colorado are “trying to figure out the right balance,” Birdsong said. They don’t want to fire workers, but they may not be able to afford to pay sick leave during closures.
Another economic stimulus package on the way
A second economic stimulus package will likely be introduced by Congress this week, which would include a tax rebate, a payroll tax cut, small business grants and loans, expanded unemployment insurance and economic relief for the industries hit hardest by the coronavirus.
Local businesses in Durango haven’t yet felt the brunt of closures that restaurants and bars are facing on the coasts, but they are planning ahead and taking precautions to make both workers and customers feel safe.
Whitney Sherwood, assistant manager of the roasting facility for Durango Coffee Co., said lost hours for warehouse workers is “definitely something we have been discussing.”
“If you’re able to support local businesses through take-out or delivery, it would really help those businesses,” Sherwood said.
The Durango Coffee Co. will soon be offering drink delivery for residents nearby, and coffee grounds delivery for people within Durango city limits, possibly as far as Three Springs subdivision. The shop on Main Avenue will have a table outside where people can pick up their drinks after ordering over the phone to avoid as much human contact as possible.
“We’ve tried to be very responsible,” said the owner of the shop, Katherine Walker. They bleach the café every few hours, and have refused to fill coffee in personal mugs.
“Our whole mission is community, so this is really difficult for us to wrap our brains around,” Walker said. But Walker said she wants to keep the Durango Coffee Co.’s doors open as long as possible. Should the company have to close its doors, legislation to support small businesses from the federal government would be “incredibly helpful,” she said.
Simultaneously, Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and other U.S. senators introduced legislation Monday to ensure that quarantined workers will not be fired or discriminated against during the coronavirus outbreak.
“We should do all we can to provide some peace of mind to workers and families who are grappling with the coronavirus outbreak,” Bennet said in a news release.
Colorado follows a legal precedent of “employment at will,” meaning that with the exception of anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation laws, employers can fire an employee at any time for any reason.
Bennet said now is the time to ensure that workers will not lose their jobs if they follow the quarantine or isolation recommendations necessary to keep the public safe.
Emily Hayes is a graduate student at American University in Washington, D.C., and an intern for The Journal.
