Back to Business: How Concerns of Returning to Work Differ in LA
By Arturo Cecena, Nadine Godinez, Angelica Tatevosian, and Monserrat Solis.
For many, 2020 marks the year of workers and business owners locking doors, flipping their signs to closed, and clocking out for one last time.
Many of these businesses are not only local but a significant aspect of our communities. Though many business owners struggled to keep their head above water in finances, others were overwhelmed with the increased traffic and how this may jeopardize worker safety.
Covid-19 caused many businesses to struggle around the world with all the new protocols. It can be difficult to maintain cleanliness to keep up with the needs of customers and employees.
According to an economic Yelp report, Los Angeles was reported to have the highest amount of business closures in the United States since the beginning of the pandemic.
Yelp also reported that half of over 15,000 closed businesses were expected to remain permanently shut down.
Small, local businesses saw a change in the market.
Caesar Flores, 40, owns a DJ company where he works event venues around San Fernando.
Last year in March alone Flores had about 90 events booked but when the pandemic hit the numbers dwindled. He went from hundreds of events to four events in 2020.
“Before the pandemic it was great, it was about 110 to 130 events a year as a company,” said Flores. “It was a big hit.”
Pamela Rondini, 45, works in real estate and financial services in the San Fernando Valley.
Real estate test centers shut down, there were strict restrictions on open houses, virtual tours were introduced and most importantly, the housing market was impacted.
On the contrary, many businesses were swamped with customers after awaiting re-opening.
With businesses trying to reopen after a year of closure, there are protocols that one business owner must take to open safely for the public.
On Nov. 30, 2020, new California laws were implemented and enforced on all businesses. Employers and employees must follow COVID-19 Emergency temporary Standards, which provides a guide on how to safely run a business.
Real Estate
Jose Cecena- 37, Real Estate Agent (Los Angeles)
“You actually have to overbid on the houses just to get one accepted. Just like this last sale I did, they had to over-bid almost close to $30,000 more than what the sellers were asking for just to get the offer accepted and beat the competition.”
Kristina Gevorkyan-22, Real Estate Agent (Glendale)
“The community has been doing fairly well in limiting the spread of the virus. However, I don’t feel it is effective because people take their masks off during coffee and lunch breaks anyways.”
Education
Annette Austin- 55, Elementary School Teacher (Glendale)
“ All students work behind a plexiglass barrier as well as the teachers. We have a HEPA filter in the room. The rooms are deep cleaned on Wednesdays or Fridays. Everyone at the school is supposed to keep their distance (6ft) from each other. All play equipment is sanitized between uses. Staff was given the opportunity to be vaccinated. Classes are kept to 12 and under maximum….. at 14 with adults too”
Marlon Contreras- 30, Special Education Assistant (Los Angeles)
“There might be a shortage of goods and property might devalue.”
Food Industry
Sebastian Martinez- 21, In-N-Out Burger Employee (Glendale)
“The company really does take care of their workers. They ask questions and take temperature before coming into work and if you came into contact with someone at work they check cameras to see if you were actually close to the person or not.”
Albert Derbabayan- 17, Creamy Spoon French Bistro (Glendale)
“The work environment has changed quite a bit during the start of the pandemic. We have had to cut down seating and even at one point during the whole pandemic we were not able to seat customs for in-door dining, therefore only relying on to-go orders. But I do feel that my workplace ensures my personal safety because we sanitize all of our tables, equipment, and utensils every other hour.”
