Small businesses like these are the engine of our economy. I think most landlords, who are small businesses themselves, understand that they need to work with their tenants in these trying times. The only other option is to evict which most cannot afford to do because it could take months to evict, and rent, if they even can rent it out. The cost is too great. Something has to give. The problem is that the economy is in dire straits. This worldwide economic downturn would happen either way and COVID-19 just hastened the inevitable considering our nation's massive and growing debt and the agendas of large corporations. There is now a cascade effect in play, where China which manufactures everything, is in an economic crisis because of real estate (ghost cities), lack of energy to manufacture, and insurmountable pollution. On our end, we have hyperinflation, lack of labor, our logistical trucking and shipping backbone is collapsing, and no confidence in the US.

The best thing to do is support small businesses and invest in our own local communities. This may help hedge our communities against this negative trend. This is a tough time for everyone and there is no easy answer. As Dori says, "Keep on swimming! Swimming, swimming."