Lincoln Nebraska Business Owners Talk About The Impact of Covid 19  

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The Covid 19 Impingement on Local Businesses in Lincoln NE

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Covid 19 negatively effected all industries but really hit hard the food services, travel and hospitality industries. Covid 19 wreaked havoc on these industries due to their structure of relying on in person contact. Businesses are still finding ways to bounce back after the abrupt impact. 

 

The Nebraska Business Response Survey Report states that 85% of respondents have been negatively impacted by Covid 19.  Lincoln is different from cities like Las Vegas which depend on the influx of their casinos regulating the economy. The Midwest is mostly agriculture, technology, food services, education and tourism.  The Pandemic has taken a toll on local managers, customers and even business owners. The population normally doesn’t view business owners as part of the people that are personally affected by the Covid 19.  We must remember that business owners have families and live regular lives just like the neighbor next door. 

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Covid 19 Shook Up Businesses in Lincoln Nebraska

 

Covid 19 is responsible for the negative decline in business in Lincoln Nebraska. As the nation is steadily under the grip of the pandemic monster, families, schools and hospitals all have been forced to alter their routines. Lincoln’s daily business procedures are much different from the way they were before the pandemic. A thriving city that is familiar with balancing its growth,  successful university sports, sustainability in agriculture and tourism was hit hard by Covid 19. The view down O. Street  are concession rows of businesses that consist of banks, stores, bars and restaurants. Many tourists, students and fans support this college district. There are several apartments with fraternity houses in the vicinity. This hot spot is sometimes called “the strip” in Lincoln. After a long week of studying, students look forward to spending their weekends at these local businesses. 

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Weekly Pay is on the Rise

 

U.S. BLS reports that the statewide unemployment rates have risen to 8% in the county of Lincoln. Since the pandemic the weekly earnings have diminished, in August of 2020 the weekly pay was 848.90 to recently 821.66. The current unemployment rate in Lancaster is 1.1%, this is a good sign of recovery. It is astonishing to know that people have quit their jobs, been laid off, or have had job separation in the Midwest region, with a declined of 3809 in 2020 to 1264 in 2021. Could this be a window of hope in the local business economy? The doors of businesses are open once again and job openings have increased to 2323, in November of 2021. The survey research numbers show that job openings are on the rise. 

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The General Manager of Brothers Bar & Grill Share About the Pandemic Rules and Regulations 

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When talking with General Manager of Brothers Bar and Grill, John Watson, states that the company is looking to bring their staff back and are open fully for business. The problem is that the previous employees have moved on to other jobs in various industries. The service industry is where several cases of infection are spread. The service jobs such as waiters, waitresses, bartenders and customer service require close contact with the public. Some employees have left the food service industry all together, in hopes of having less contact with patrons. Although the business was under strict mandates, they’ve become creative in the modifications of the business. At the highest point in the pandemic the restaurant business could only serve food and drinks to go. 

 

Watson said, this regulation was out of the norm for him. Watson has six plus years in the food service industry and was required to always tell the customers, they can’t leave with a drink. Covid 19 zapped the enjoyment of social life at the bar. Watson shares that many times he felt like a high school administrator, policing the kids. He did everything right according to the World Health Organization and the state requirements of distancing by six feet, and wearing masks to protect the business and guests. Now the new requirements give patrons an option to wear a mask or not. It is up to each business to allow their employees to wear masks. You may walk in one business and witness every employee is wearing a protective mask, while another business the employees have chosen not to wear masks. 

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The current status of Covid 19 is in the Red which means the state is in a high-risk position of spreading the virus. Currently social distancing is the requirement at restaurants there is no masks mandates. The CDC is recommending a booster shot for those that have had their vaccination over five months. Also, the Lincoln County Health Department advises all to wear masks indoors when in public. 

 

 

The Pandemic Times are Looking Up in Lincoln Nebraska

 

Many Nebraskans are keeping a low profile and practicing safe measures when it comes to going out.  The community is beginning to shop online for most of their needs such as groceries or fast food. Many local businesses are continuing to provide curb service, to go orders and delivery services.  The Rural Poll of Nebraskans is design to survey and get the feedback of Nebraskans experiences and perceptions. The survey contains a list of questions, one of the questions is, “are you doing better off now than five years ago? Most people responded with “they are doing better now than five years ago. The results of the survey is mostly the rural population.

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 Noyes Art Gallery’s Art is still beating after Covid 19

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For a business that has been thriving for nearly thirty years at ease, now its forced to make modifications. The times have changed, and the gallery has always changed to keep up with current phases. However, this pandemic change is quite different from any other business change. Since Covid 19, many patrons are skeptical of going out in public, this has caused a decrease in business.  Julia Noyes, owner and founder of Noyes Art Gallery gives insight of how she kept the gallery doors opened.