The McDonalds on Delaware Avenue in Marysville posted a sign on its entrance door after Ohio Governor Mike DeWine closed all dine-in restaurants following his press conference Sunday. Carry out and drive-thru’s remain open. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
Paychecks of local wait staff, bartenders dried up in six hours Sunday
Autumn Britton, a single mom of two boys, is a bartender at the Flamingo. And as of this morning, she doesn’t know when her next paycheck will come.
“We got notified yesterday that we would not be open for an undetermined amount of time,” Britton said this morning. “For a single mom, this is kind of scary.”
And not just for her. The mother of two said one of her sons has been having anxiety attacks since he learned his mother would be out of a job.
“That’s hard, too,” she said.
Sunday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) ordered restaurants and bars closed to dine-in customers. Restaurants with take-out and delivery options will still be able to operate those services, even as their dining rooms are temporarily closed.
He also announced that Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) will be able to suspend the normal one-week waiting period before applying for unemployment compensation.
“They say we will be able to get our paychecks, but bartenders and servers rely on our tips,” Britton said. “I know I am not the only one, but we will not be able to pay our bills or feed or kids.”
She said her situation is made worse because “the price gouging is already happening.”
Britton said that if the government is ordering bars and restaurants to close, it also needs to “come up with more of a plan than just giving part of our paycheck when that is not all that we bring home.”
She said she has already done the math and an unemployment compensation will barely cover her rent.
“I am going to have to pull out of savings and scrape what little I have to make it,” Britton said.
She said she does not want to apply for government assistance, but it might come to that.
“Even if I get the government assistance with food for being off for a while, then what? That isn’t going to help with rent. It isn’t going to pay my water, pay my electric,” Britton said.
She said she knows many utilities have suspended shut off, but wonders if she will have a huge pile of debt.
“I feel like this is something we are dealing with for months and months, even after this is over,” Britton said.
Eric Phillips, Union County economic development director said the ban has been difficult for the local businesses as well.
“Ohio has been a leader for sure, but we are definitely looking at business taking a hit,” Phillips said.
He said there are “just so many unknowns.”
“Eventually, we will hit the bottom and we will start to come back up. But the question is ‘When?’ And we just don’t know,” Phillips said.
He encouraged consumers to take advantage of carryout options and be creative.
“We are in unprecedented times, as we know, so it is so important to support local businesses when you can,” Phillips said. “That’s probably the biggest thing.”
He did offer advice for Britton and others who may be out a of a job because of the virus.
“Contact OhioMeansJobs,” Phillips said. “There are jobs available.”
Britton said that “could be an option” but wonders for how long.
“Honestly, how long until the factories are going to be closed? How long until other businesses are closed?” Britton said. “Unless you can work from home, how long until a lot of these things are closed down?”
Briton expressed frustration that her industry was targeted first. She said customers “know the risk” when they go into a restaurant or bar.
“Do what you need to do to keep yourself safe from sickness, but don’t take away my job,” Britton said.
She added, “We all carry germs all the time. Our kids get sick. We get sick. We still go to work because we have to pay the bills.”
Ultimately, Britton said she just wants her job.
“I want to work. I want to go to work. I want to be able to provide for my kids,” she said.