The economy often aligns with the condition of the stock market, according to Investopedia, affecting businesses from Wall Street to a local bakery. The stock market has proven incredibly volatile recently, with multiple circuit breaker triggers in the past month. 

Federal, state and county economic responses to COVID-19 have increased market volatility, leading to a variety of shortages.

According to Business Insider, after speaking with multiple corporate businesses such as Target and McDonald’s, many “companies have had to contend with shuttering stores in affected areas, accommodating sick and worried employees and dealing with supply chain disruptions.”

As COVID-19 hit the United States, Costco soon was forced to post warning signs, with one reading, “SOLD OUT OF KS TISSUE, KS PAPER TOWELS & CHARMIN FOR TODAY.” All the while, lines to stock up on their scant bulk items wrapped around the building.

Due to expanded demand with seeming limited supply, workers fear for their wages as many are sent home. 

More than 2.7 million Californians fled to unemployment offices in all of March, according to NBC Bay Area. As for Ventura County, the president and CEO of a local nonprofit that promotes economic growth Bruce Stenslie told the VCStar that the county could reach a 25 percent or higher unemployment rate, though some are skeptical. His nonprofit, Economic Development Collaborative, projected a 20-30 percent unemployment.

This would come near or top the almost 25 percent peak unemployment rate in the late 1920s and 1930s — amidst the Great Depression.

There has been an exponential increase in the number of those applying for unemployment and paid family and sick leave as workers must stay home to care for their children whose schools have closed, or for their own health.

Owner of Cafe Sapientia Stephen Jeong explained how local businesses can feel a sense of togetherness now with an unfortunate catalyst. 

“I don’t think any business is ever mentally prepared for something so urgent and unpredictable,” Jeong wrote to the Talon. 

Co-founder of local coffee bar and eatery Five07, Sean McCarthy, had two options: adapt or close. He and his team chose to adapt.

“[We chose to] immediately roll with the punches and stay on top of the changing landscape. For us, that meant we had to keep up to date on everything that was happening in the world and our community,” McCarthy wrote to the Talon. “Every three days for almost two weeks, everything was being turned on its head. We are right there with every other service company, seeing less than half the number of people coming through our doors as usual.”

In the wake of this sudden transition came new strategies to ensure comfort and safety on behalf of the customers and workers at both establishments.

“We are wearing/changing our food-grade gloves around the clock, have started sporting homemade masks, and are still able to provide great service — just serving everything to go,” McCarthy wrote. 

As for Cafe Sapientia, new sanitary protocols were put into place; Jeong deemed these changes effective as “customers have expressed feelings of [safety].”

These unprecedented events caused by COVID-19 have not all been negative for Five07 — they sparked the launch of Joe Coffee, a mobile app used for other “indie coffee shops” to place orders. They have also started home deliveries. 

“We have been better able to get drinks and food out in a quicker manner and know that this will help us be even more efficient once things get back to ‘normal,’” McCarthy wrote. 

Jeong highlighted the bright side of things for Cafe Sapientia, stating that difficult times call for more appreciation for even the little interactions with customers. 

“Regardless of the number of customers, we’ve received so much love and support from the Oak Park community,” Jeong wrote. “We couldn’t be more grateful.”

As for how to help all types of local businesses through this time of need, CNN Business suggests buying gift cards, shopping locally – online and off, taking advantage of discounts and tipping a bit more than you normally would. For more details, visit the link above. 

“That makes all the difference with helping us cover the costs,” McCarthy wrote. “And still be around once all this is over.”

It is crucial, however, to handle packaging with gloves and other sanitization methods while wearing face masks if picking up or taking out. 

For the businesses that are still open at this time, Jeong ensured that some local love also helps.

“Even stopping by a favorite local spot to chat with the employees is so encouraging,” Jeong wrote. “We are thinking of everyone during these tough times and hope you know that we are always there! We will get through this together, as one community.”

As for McCarthy and Five07, a joint optimistic outlook on the situation goes a long way.

“We are going to get through this as a community. Let’s use this time to expand our horizons, growing stronger in every way possible,” McCarthy wrote. “This is a short-term roadblock for us that can allow us to emerge even better.”