SAN DIEGO — Businesses nationwide have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. Restaurants have been mandated to operate by only offering take out options and that has been a hard transition.
A recent study from the California Restaurant Association says about 6 out of 10 restaurants have closed during the pandemic. The Incredible Cafe has been around in Rancho Bernardo for more than 25 years. In fact, they were recently featured on the Food Network in 2019 and thought they would get a boost, but with coronavirus it’s been devastating.
They have gone form 15 employees to three. That includes the chef, the owner, Liz Sunwoo, and her daughter Stephanie. Stephanie says it's been challenging to transition from dine-in to take out, especially using take out platforms for the first time like, Uber Eats, Doordash and GrubHub
"Signing up for these websites are also really intimidating because the representative for these websites are inundated with a ton of restaurants signing up last minute, similar to us. And, they're unable to hold our hand and help us navigate through these platforms. They also take a really big commission from our sales. It would be wonderful if our customers called us directly and placed their orders with us," Stephanie said.
Stephanie also adds that for those who are on the edge about ordering out they want everyone to know the chef wears a mask and gloves. They're following all health dept and CDC guidelines. They serve breakfast and lunch and are now open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There's also a lot of uncertainty for them when it comes to rent, Stephanie says they are in negotiations with their landlord in the Mercado Center, but at this point no forbearance or rent forgiveness has been offered.
If you're a small business owner or an employee, here are some resources to help you apply for financial help.
Resources:
---------------------------------
News 8 has joined forces with The San Diego Foundation to raise immediate, emergency funds for our most vulnerable neighbors in need. Here is how you can help.
We also have a Frequently Asked Questions page we will continue updating with the latest information and reports.
Click here to watch "Facts Not Fear," a News 8 Special on coronavirus from March 26, 2020.
BACKGROUND:
According to the CDC, coronavirus (COVID-19) is a family of viruses that is spreadable from person to person. Coronavirus is believed to have been first detected in a seafood market in Wuhan, China in December 2019. If someone is sick with coronavirus, the symptoms they may show include mild to severe respiratory illness, cough, and difficulty breathing.
Currently, there is no vaccine, however, the CDC suggests the following precautions, as with any other respiratory illness:
Know how it spreads:
There is no vaccine
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus
It is thought to spread mainly from person-person between people in close contact
And believed to be spread by respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes
Protect yourself
Wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds
If soap and water aren't available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Put distance between yourselves and others
Protect others
Stay home when you are sick
Wear a facemask if you are sick
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
If you don't have tissue, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow
Immediately wash your hands after coughing and sneezing
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
You can find information on disinfecting and cleaning on the CDC's How to Protect Yourself page.
The California Department of Public Health has issued guidance on the use of cloth face coverings to protect against the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19.
The County of San Diego has made face coverings mandatory for those working with the public including grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores, and similar businesses.
While officials say these face coverings are not a substitute for practices like social distancing and handwashing, there is evidence to suggest that the use of cloth face coverings by the public during a pandemic could help reduce disease transmission. Officials do not recommend the public use N-95 or surgical masks which are needed by health care workers and first responders.