SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Across the country, businesses are beginning to feel the trickle-down effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Many are taking a financial hit as more people stay at home to avoid getting sick, but there is one segment of the population feeling especially vulnerable – ride-sharing workers.
Hasseb Ataee drives full-time for Uber and Lyft.
“It is a fear, of course. If anyone is getting it, I don’t know if they have it or not – especially if you pick up from the airport,” he said.
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While Americans are being asked to stay home – work remotely – and avoid close human contact, Hasseb said he does not have much of a choice if he wants to earn a living to feed his family.
“What I want is the government, the local or the state, they should have something in mind in case we are going to be quarantined. [They] should think about people working outside,” he said.
Uber is part of a growing list of major companies announcing it will give paid leave or other compensation to workers who contract the virus or to those quarantined by order of their employer or federal government.
In an address to the nation on Wednesday night, the president of the United States promised more emergency relief on the way. He also said the United States’ Small Business Administration will loan $50 billion to small businesses and individuals. Low interest loans, the president said, are expected to help overcome temporary economic disruptions from coronavirus.
However, like so many others right now, Hasseb said there is still too many unknowns.
“I have no idea what they are going to do,” he said.
The details behind the SBA loans are still unclear.
For now, Hasseb, like other drivers and the rest of population has been asked to do, will use hand sanitizer and thoroughly wash his hands.