COVID-19 Stories from Iowa’s First Congressional District
Dear constituent,
Leaders in Washington need to know how the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting economic crisis are impacting real people in our nation’s heartland.
We cannot waste any more time playing political games over critical public health and financial assistance to families, small businesses and communities. It’s past time to put politics aside and act on behalf of the people we’re here to serve. Every day that we delay could be a day of missed meals and unpaid bills for an Iowa family. It could be another shift without PPE for an Iowa essential worker.
My office asked Iowans to share their stories about how the pandemic is affecting them and their communities, and hundreds responded. As you’ll see below, their stories cover a wide range of issues and concerns, and understand the critical need for a new, bipartisan aid package to provide the relief they need.
We included several of these stories in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer demanding action on a new relief package.
Sincerely,
Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer
Stories for the page have been edited for grammar and length while maintaining their accuracy and voice.
Saved by CARES Act benefits in Marquette: My wife was working at a casino. She was laid off when they had to shut their doors in late March… The $1200 supplement and the $600 a week in unemployment was a lifesaver for us, so that we could continue to pay our mortgage and other debts. Without this, we would likely be in default on our home mortgage. We are deeply grateful to you and others who supported this program.”
Small business owner from Dubuque: We own a small business in Dubuque. We have remained open but our business has been cut in half due to the pandemic. The PPP loan has saved us, but those funds have already run out, and our future looks bleak. I have no idea how we can stay in business long enough to ride this pandemic out. We are operating on minimal staff — if any one of us should get sick, it would be a total detriment to our business.
Out of work in Maynard: I was working for a manufacturer about 30 minutes away from home. I lost my job the end of May due to the pandemic. I live in a small town with just a gas station, there is no way I will find another job making what I made. I am a mom of two, so the extra $600 I got during June and July helped my family a lot.
5th-generation family-business owner from Benton County: We own a store that has been serving Iowa for over 70 years, with my family being the 5th-generation owners. Our business is down 30 percent, and we’re not seeing things pick up — only getting worse. Before the pandemic, we were on track to pay off past debts and looking to purchase our store’s property by the end of this year. We welcomed the SBA relief package, but without further help I'm not sure how we will survive the retail downturn in another two months.
High-risk health concerns in Cedar Rapids: I worked in housing and dining at a college. I am an extremely high-risk patient with severe heart disease and breathing issues on a daily basis. Due to the pandemic, I had to resign rather than risk being exposed to thousands of students from every corner of America and beyond. Now, I have no income, no unemployment, and will likely lose my apartment. This has been devastating for me. I need help NOW.
Saved by enhanced unemployment benefits in Fayette: My wife was furloughed from work earlier this year. Her unemployment and the federal economic impact stimulus payment kept us afloat until she could get back to work just a few weeks ago. The $600 supplement was a lifesaver for us, so that we could continue to pay our mortgage and other debts. Without this, we would likely have defaulted on our home mortgage. We are deeply grateful to you and others who supported this program.
Small town business owners: We own a store that has been serving Iowa for 77 years, and this business has been in my family for 5 generations. Our business is down 30%, and we are not seeing things pick up- they are only getting worse. Without further help from SBA, I'm not sure how we will survive the retail downturn in another two months. We’re in a dire situation here. We need support...We needed it several months ago. And we certainly need it even more now.
Schools and teachers struggling with safety: I was preparing to return to my classroom this fall. Last week I was emailed and told that we are not opening. I work with 3,4 & 5-year olds at a preschool. With COVID restrictions firmly in place, DHS and county health recommendations- my director felt it harder to open. Staffing, cleaning and decreased numbers for students made it financially challenging to unlock the doors. I truly want face to face learning but at 50 years old, I also need to be careful.
Business owner from Dubuque: COVID has slammed the door on my business and caused a lot of uncertainty. I was forced to shut my doors in March and did not re-open until June. While I am thankful for the unemployment assistance, it is simply not enough. Even though I am back open, I am not running at more than 50-75 percent capacity, which is having terrible implications on my budget — both personal and professional — and forcing me to look at closing my doors for good. I simply can't make ends meet as a single mom not able to work full time yet having full time expenses. This breaks my heart, as I may be forced to stop doing something I love and that has sustained me financially for nearly two decades. Where is the ongoing help and support for those of us in small businesses who have been forced into situations beyond our control?
High risk to health and business in Parnell: I started my business in the late 1970s and have been exhibiting my work at art fairs. The pandemic has caused the art fairs to be cancelled for obvious reasons and, because of this, my sales have flatlined. Because I am over 65, have a compromised immune system and suffered a lung virus a few years ago, I am considered high-risk. Because so many people are not wearing masks and not distancing properly, this pandemic could go on for many more months, and that scares me. I do not want to give up my business, or my home, but may have to do so.
Childcare worker from Waterloo: I work in a childcare center. We have been greatly impacted by the coronavirus. We have had a huge drop in child attendance, which resulted in less hours for me and forced me to apply for partial unemployment. The extra $600 helped with bills and groceries but now that it has expired, I don’t know how I’m going to make ends meet. I was already struggling before all of this when I was getting full time hours. My hours are still cut. If I didn’t have the pandemic unemployment, I wouldn’t have been able to pay any of my bills because my current place of employment doesn’t offer paid sick leave or health insurance. I don’t have any way to feed my kids or myself.
Family-owned business in Cedar Rapids: We own and operate a family-owned company that has restores buildings and turns them into productive residential and commercial rental spaces. Many tenants are having trouble paying their rent, which in turn makes it impossible for us to pay our mortgages. We do not want to evict tenants but that is what it is coming to. Tenants and owners need financial assistance. We also own and operate a new restaurant that will most likely not survive in this pandemic economy. Restaurants employ thousands of people and assistance to restaurants could help with putting people back to work.
Self-employed in Cedar Rapids: My husband owns his own business, and I am self-employed. Obviously, both of our jobs were cut substantially due to the pandemic. Because I am self-employed, I cannot pay unemployment on myself, so $600 was all I received. That $600 a week paid our bills, groceries and gas — plus we have two kids. Now that it’s ended, I’m afraid that this coronavirus is going to bankrupt us again. What happens if we can’t pay our bills? What happens when my husband or I get sick and have to quarantine for two weeks? What happens when schools reopen, and my kids bring the virus home? We need help.
Layoffs in Cedar Rapids: At the start of the year, my company was projecting another record year, but by March their tune changed drastically. On April 1 we had our first round of layoffs. For the rest of us who made the cut, our hours were reduced to 32 hours per week. I work in a support role to the trucking industry, and our repair shop is normally overflowing with work right now — we normally run two shifts of mechanics to get everything done in a timely manner. But as of July 1st, we no longer have a night shift, and the mechanics who didn't get laid off now are fighting to keep their jobs. They say this will last through October, but we’re all getting worried about keeping our jobs at all —myself included. Thank goodness I was able to get partial unemployment for the days I am missing out of our weekly paychecks — that's over $100 missing each week. It adds up, especially when I have a mortgage and other monthly expenses. The $600 weekly really helped my family out; we have been socking it back into our savings in case I end up getting laid off due to the economy.
‘Devastated’ in Cedar Rapids: I am a 71-year-old female Iowan, and the pandemic has devastated my world. My daughter and I have both been let go from our jobs because of COVID-19. We live from paycheck to paycheck. I am mortified that I am desperately asking my government to please not cut the bonus $600 that we were given. So very many Americans count on assistance from our government. Wealthy Americans have absolutely no idea how the majority of Americans are living in fear and desperation. It is so heartbreaking for our world to be consumed by this pandemic. We need leadership.
Social Security is not enough in Cedar Rapids: I am 68 years old and cannot live on Social Security alone, but I have not been able to find a job that I can do. The jobs that I qualify for are just not hiring right now. The extra unemployment has been the only way of getting by, and I do not know how I will get by if they cut it.
Saved by unemployment benefits in Waverly: The unemployment benefits and stimulus check that I have received have been a godsend. I've used this additional money to pay for food and rent. We have no idea what is coming economically, what with the tremendous hit the virus has given it. Please keep those checks coming. I'd be in trouble without them. Thanks for your support and hard work.