By Jack Voight, Sports Editor
The coronavirus is the newest looming threat to society, and it has many people asking: What is the aftermath going to look like? This pandemic not only impacts health, but also has hurt the economy and the small businesses which have been restricted due to the nationwide shutdown.
For the people on the Outer Banks, this is an even bigger issue.
Many local livelihoods revolve around the very busy summer months that bring millions of tourists flocking in every year. So, the coronavirus epidemic leaking into the summer could very well lead to an economic collapse of our little island.
Of course, the government is expected to step in and provide help, but how much will it take?
Many restaurants depend on seasonal income to help float their business during the offseason, and with the number of restaurants that call the Outer Banks home, it is going to be impossible for some to keep afloat if this crisis continues much longer.
Specifically with bridge closures barring non-permanent residents from entering, this means that the seasonal tourism many businesses require to even stay open will be gone for the foreseeable future. Even if the Outer Banks was to open back up, seasonal tourism will likely falter because of this pandemic.
Some business owners are keeping their spots going for now, such as Bill Golden, the owner of Dare Devils Pizzeria.
“We are down about 70% this week and next week coming up to about 80%,” said Golden in regard to his current sales compared to the previous year. “I’ve had to cut down costs a lot: I mean, it’s only me and (a waitress) now.”
Restaurant employees can apply for the unemployment insurance being put aside for workers, but Golden and fellow restaurant owners might not be so lucky. They can file for loans and aid, but there is a limit to how much the government can give and there seems to be no way of knowing when the money will come – but this doesn’t keep Golden from remaining positive.
“I think the federal government did a good job of handling (the pandemic),” Golden said. “Sure, maybe they could have changed a couple of things, but we are in uncharted territory.”
Another business territory at risk are the various rental companies spread across the beach. Vacation rental company Twiddy & Company offered a couple of statements on how it believes the beach may be affected.
“Depending on how long Dare County is closed to visitors, the businesses that survive will be those who know their customers best, allocate their resources the most efficiently, and keep their team as intact as possible, and, if necessary, apply for government aid such as the Paycheck Protection Plan to help them weather this storm,” Twiddy ownership said.
These “trickle-down economic” effects – fewer tourists renting fewer houses eating at fewer restaurants shopping at fewer stores – could lead to high unemployment rates, as some businesses may not survive this economic shutdown. And even the ones that do make it will be dealing with less income, which most likely means layoffs.
“I think we’ll begin to see some closures here soon,” Golden said.
But however difficult it may seem, business owners must remain hopeful that it will get better sometime soon.
“The Outer Banks is a beautiful, special place. It will continue to be that after we are on the other side of this,” added the Twiddy statement.
Junior Jack Voight can be reached at 21VOIGHTJA99@daretolearn.org.
