The U.S. House of Representatives passed, by a vote of 219–212, a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package early Saturday morning that includes $1,400 stimulus checks to individuals, an extension of unemployment benefits, and tens of billions in aid for small businesses and not-for-profits. The bill, titled the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, H.R. 1319, also […]

Here are the rules by state:  Alabama:  Gov. Kay Ivey instituted a statewide mask requirement. Under the mandate, individuals will be required to wear a facial covering when in public and in close contact with other people through Dec. 11. However, social distancing guidelines were relaxed for restaurants, retailers, gyms and close-contact providers (such as barbershops […]

Even though there is more optimism from Pfizer and Moderna regarding their vaccines, consumers are still concerned. According to NMI’s Holiday Spending Insights Report, small businesses must implement proper sanitary procedures and touchless payment systems. This if they want to ensure their success during the 2020 holiday shopping season. In the report, NMI says 46% of […]

The COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful and isolating for many people. Gatherings during the upcoming holidays can be an opportunity to reconnect with family and friends. This holiday season, consider how your holiday plans can be modified to reduce the spread of COVID-19 to keep your friends, families, and communities healthy and safe. CDC offers the following […]

Fall is in the air, the days are getting shorter, and that means Halloween is right around the corner. Yes, Halloween will look different this year, however, there are lots of safe and creative ways to have fun and celebrate at home with family and friends who are in your social circle. Guidance from the […]

This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The outbreak first started in China, but the virus continues to spread internationally and in the United States. There is much more to learn about the transmissibility, severity, […]

The unique nature of the COVID-19 crisis poses a new set of challenges for US small businesses as they claw their way toward recovery. Many face muted demand, new customer expectations, and operational challenges because of health and safety restrictions. Recovery will take time. After the 2008 recession, larger companies recovered to their precrisis contribution to […]

Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a retooled process for loosening and tightening COVID-19 restrictions Friday. Labeled a “Blueprint for a Safer California,” the system puts California’s 58 counties into four tiers based on the number of new daily cases and the percentage of positive tests.   “We’ve learned a lot the past few months,” Newsom said. “We’re […]

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said Friday that 1.8 million jobs were added in July, drastically down from the 4 million added in June—with the halt to reopenings appearing to have dampened momentum towards recovering the over 20 million jobs lost since the pandemic took hold in March. KEY FACTS Although unemployment ticked down for the […]

The coronavirus pandemic has taken an inconceivable toll on the American economy. It’s caused the highest unemployment rate since the Great Depression, decimated millions of small businesses, and set off a wave of big corporate bankruptcies.  Since March, Washington lawmakers have been scrambling to prevent a full-scale economic meltdown while managing a public health crisis. […]