We have had conflicting news regarding business closures. As of Thursday evening, the State of CA announced that businesses like ours are among those that must close for a period of at least 2 weeks and more likely a month. Our governor also said he expected 58% of Californians to have the virus in the next 3 weeks. Of course by closing all businesses now, he can claim he prevented this calamity...regardless of the true impact of the CCP created virus.

While the gov. can close our shop, he has no control of shipping companies, he can not restrict interstate commerce. So, the Internet side of this business will remain open. We are thankful for that, how else can we retain and pay our people here? I'm sure our suppliers also expect payment so they can make more of what's needed. Thankful we do have an Internet side to the business. But, given that we did finally crash and replace the old site, we have lost search engine placement. That was a bullet we anticipated and were prepared to bite, however being closed for possibly a month, well, there's no planning for that.

Here's another rub as a small business owner, State sales taxes are due Monday 3/23. The State could offer a tax holiday, funds could be held back to help a small business pay employees and rent. I'm not talking about my family or our living expenses, I'm talking about any small/midsize business being able to pay its people. The State is fine in telling folks to close their shops (means of income and employment), no pain to them, their public paid salaries are unaffected. However, that's not the case for business owners or their employees.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Chark,

We gave it three weeks, reopened our shop. Virus scare overblown (opinion based upon numbers). No future having shop closed for retail sales, however we never stopped shipping and processing online orders, with some folks stopping by the shop to pick up gear.

The guys working here were pretty funny upon the shop's re-opening. They apparently became tired of only hearing our own voices, mine in particular... The clients who came into the shop the first days had a hard time leaving. Staff was chattering away like a bunch of school girls yacking about a date. Blake, Andy and the rest appreciated having some new folks to talk fishing with, no doubt. Nice to be open! Now all we need are the boats of the fleet running, being on the water and catching fish. Sure enough the private boaters have been having a blast on the bluefin.

I'm so glad none of your family or employees caught the virus and died. I only wish I could say the same thing. And I don't think calling it the Wuhan Virus does anything good and probably does some bad. Covid-19 identifies it just fine.

Very sorry to hear AK. Going back to January, the virus was referred to by that name, the point of origin as other viruses are so labeled. The CCP took issue with that, pushed the change in name. Time will tell us more of what is behind the virus, true origin, actual numbers, etc. We all are entitled to opinions, hopefully facts will put us all on the same level of thinking.