How Are Businesses Affected by the Coronavirus?

By Kysa Harte

Editor's Note: This portfolio captures a series of images taken during the New York State lockdown. The images feature two local businesses- a laundromat and supermarket- and how they were affected by the current pandemic. Do enjoy!

How has the Coronavirus Affected 'Non-Essential' Businesses?

On March 15th, 2020, Governor Cuomo, Governor of New York, announced to the state that only essential businesses were to remain open in an effort to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus. On a list of essential businesses made by Business Insider, laundromats were not included, but according to an article by ‘thecity.nyc’, the governor deemed laundromats essential. Only some laundromats remained opened in an effort to help persons and essential workers remove germs from their clothing, especially because some homes lack personal washing devices. Local Clean Rite Center laundromat, located in Jamaica, Queens, took a hit during the lockdown season as they began to see fewer customers. Taking a visit to this laundromat about a month ago, it was almost unrecognizable as there were only 2 other customers and one staff on duty in the building. This image captures a pile of about 10 vacant clothing carts which is a rare finding on a regular business day. (Photo Credit: Kysa Harte)

According to ‘thecity.nyc’, laundromats in NYC were under strain as the culture of washing changed during this strange period. While this 24-hour laundromat remained opened, the building was made less ‘customer friendly’. Seating areas in the building were barred off with caution tape and so were many of the washers and dryers in the building. The store also removed all arcade-like games that children frequently played on. The worker on duty, who asked to remain anonymous over a phone call, said, “We haven’t seen such few people in a while. People are outside less which means they’re wearing less clothes so no one is really coming here.” (Photo Credit: Kysa Harte)

In the article published by ‘thecity.nyc’, the author mentioned that many laundromats are closing or reducing their hours because of the pandemic. Like many other laundromats around New York, the local Clean Rite Center in Jamaica, Queens has been shut down. The center and staff have not responded to requests to make a comment on whether this branch has been closed due to the current crisis or for other reasons. Though a comment has not been made, based on the business the laundromat has seen recently, it can be assumed that the crisis negatively affected the business, thus causing the shutdown. While the location has been closed, according to the company’s official website, they have implemented a ‘pick-up and drop off’ system in an effort to help customers get their laundry done. (Photo Credit: Kysa Harte)

How has the Coronavirus Affected Essential Businesses?

When the Coronavirus became a prominent situation and civilians were told to stay in their homes, persons began to panic and bulk-buy from supermarkets. According to an article published by Insider, persons began to buy in this fashion because they wanted to have a sense of control and they were even practicing ‘herd behavior’, which means they were practicing what they saw others doing. The problem with panic and bulk-buying, especially in this time, is that persons were acting selfishly and shelves in grocery stores were left empty. This image captures an empty bread shelf in a local Western Beef supermarket, located in Jamaica, Queens. The elderly community was severely affected because they were unable to get groceries as quickly as other people. Because of this, the local Western Beef has introduced the senior hour from 6:30-7:30 AM which gives the elderly time to get their essentials before the store sees a larger crowd. (Photo Credit: Kysa Harte)

Because persons have been panic-buying, grocery stores are regularly filled with people which defeats the purpose of social distancing. A CNN Business article believes that grocery stores should ban customers from entering stores because of the virus. While local supermarket, Western Beef, has not banned persons from entering the store, safety precautions have been implemented. Now, customers are expected to wait to enter the store until permission by certain personnel is granted. Customers have also been asked to stand 6-feet away from other customers while waiting at the check-out counter. According to the previously mentioned article, many grocery store workers have died from the coronavirus so, to protect cashiers, Western Beef has installed separation walls so that the customer and cashier are not directly facing each other. Also, all Western Beef staff are expected to wear a mask and glove while on duty. (Photo Credit: Kysa Harte)

As persons have been panic and bulk-buying, supermarkets have been increasing their prices. CNN and NBC News have reported that prices in grocery stores have seen its biggest increase in 50 years. Local Western Beef supermarket, raised its prices on eggs which is one of the items that has seen a great increase in supermarkets nationwide. According to the NBC report, eggs have been increased by 16%. The problem with this is that persons are not only finding it hard to find products, but they are also struggling to afford these products. Wagner Recio, manager of the Western Beef located in Jamaica Queens said that after raising the price, the administration decided to drop the price on some products, like eggs, to a more reasonable price. (Photo Credit: Kysa Harte)

Bonus Image!

This image was captured at the corner of Farmers and Merrick Boulevard in Jamaica, Queens. Graffiti is a very popular form of art in New York. This form of art display is usually found on abandoned buildings or on train tracks. Graffiti art usually has some type of message and this one is very blatant. Instead of trying to make the message hidden, the ‘artist’ blatantly wrote the words “Wash Your Hands” as some sort of reminder for passersby. (Photo Credit: Kysa Harte)