Help is on the way for Washington's small businesses, but there's a 'long recovery ahead'

Businesses will not reopen for at least several more weeks in Washington state. More and more workers are getting notice that they're being furloughed or are losing their jobs outright.

It's a difficult time for Washingtonians. KUOW’s Paige Browning brings us today’s coronavirus crisis update.

This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.

The state is going to do more to help businesses and individual workers. What's new here?

There's a new way for businesses to get some extra cash in the bank. Washington state is opening up a new grant program for small businesses.

They can receive up to $10,000 to help them pay for things like utilities or cleaning, or just to be able to keep paying staff. It's only for small businesses with 10 or fewer employees.

We know small businesses can also apply for federal loans as part of that massive stimulus package passed by Congress, but there's been a flood of applications for that. Is that still a resource for businesses here?

Many businesses have been denied applications and the loan program website has been overloaded today — but it is still a resource. Gov. Jay Inslee says Washingtonians should keep applying for loans through the Small Business Administration, because some will make it through.

Congress is expected to vote, maybe Thursday, on adding more money to the loan program. It's about $350 billion now, and they could add another $250 billion for the small business loans.

We know tens of thousands of Washington workers have already lost their jobs. Is the state able to keep up with the flood of people who need assistance now?

It may take a while, but they say that people who do qualify will get unemployment insurance or the other benefits that they are qualified for. They're rushing to keep up with the tens of thousands of workers that are applying.

They say if you file a claim for benefits in Washington and are approved, the processing time right now is about five to seven days for when you're going to see that benefit.

That benefit is retroactive from when you were let go, even if processing your claim is delayed?

Yes. The state has hired more workers to help with this. All of these things will still probably not be enough to keep Washington's economy strong, however. That's something that Inslee talked about today:

“We know we have a long economic recovery ahead of us," he said. "We know we're going to have to be intense in our efforts. We're going to roll out every tool at our disposal, while we're expecting federal assistance as well. We're making some steps today that you might think of as short term steps, with many larger and more aggressive steps to follow.”

I should say, no indication yet what those larger steps could be.

In China, we're seeing some restrictions lifted that have been in place since January. People who are now “healthy” can go in and out of Wuhan. Any indications on when the Seattle area could start to reopen?

There's just no answer right now. It'll happen when health experts indicate cases are spreading slowly enough that it's safe to have people back in public. Here in King County, though, some workers could be allowed to go back to work in person this spring. That's what King County Executive Dow Constantine told us today:

“Can you have folks over to work on the outside of your house, if they're working individually? Can you have your clothes cleaned, if you don't have to have face to face contact with cleaner? Can you have your car repaired, if the repair person simply takes the car drop off and takes it inside work on it him or herself? Those are reasonable questions for us to begin to ask as we start to stabilize the situation.”

He's saying some people could go back to work soon, but it will be a slow roll out.

When it comes to schools, we know that in-person classes are canceled until next fall, at least, but we're learning more about this. There is a chance kids might get one last look at their classroom this year. Is that right?

Yes. School buildings are closed, but school officials are already saying we could have one week of school at the end of this school year, if the outbreak has subsided enough. Chris Reykdal is the State Schools Superintendent. He says, if this happens, it won't really be for class, but for some social reasons and to assess where kids are at:

“There's a ton of evaluation that could be done preparing students for the next year, and every principal we talked to and every teacher says the social-emotional benefits, the mental health benefits of getting kids to be able to connect with each other, maybe even old graduation ceremonies, just holds enormous promise for their hope. Again, that’s a very small possibility, so I don't I don't want to presume that's the default.”

Listen to the interview by clicking the play button above.