Author(s): Pabitra Kumar Patra
To explore the hit/effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on small businesses, we managed and did/done a survey of more than 5,800 small businesses between March 28 and April 4, 2020. (More than two, but not a lot of) themes came out/became visible. First, mass layoffs and closures had already happened just a few weeks into the serious problem. Second, the risk of closure was negatively connected with the expected length of the serious problem. More than that, businesses had widely changing/different beliefs about the likely length of time of COVID-related disruptions. Third, many small businesses are (related to money) delicate and breakable: The middle-point business with more than $10,000 in monthly expenses had only about 2 wk of cash on hand at the time of the survey. Fourth, most businesses planned to look (for) money/giving money (to) through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Money-based Security (CARES) Act. However, many expected/looked ahead to problems with (using/getting to) the program, such as (slow, ineffective government) hassles and (problems, delays, etc.) beginning and building on (ability to be picked/ability to participate). Using experimental difference/different version, we also test/evaluate take-up rates and business toughness effects for loans relative to grants-based programs.