We continue to derive a great deal of satisfaction from our ongoing coverage of various small businesses in both the coastal and hinterland regions of Guyana that have been significantly affected by the onset of COVID-19 and some of which are even hesitant to come to concrete conclusions at this stage about the likelihood of their survival.
Here we stress that the dispositions of these small business owners are not a matter of an absence of will but a realism that is shaped by the fact of their fragile operating structures in the first place and the uncertainties and imponderables that lie ahead mainly insofar of just how much longer we are going to have to be looking over our shoulders.
We have found, in some instances, that it is almost incomprehensible that some of the proprietors of these businesses, farmers, agro-processors, caterers, craftsmen and women, bakers and persons in other lines of business have not only managed to remain optimistic about seeing the current difficulties through but have also continued to provide their various services, albeit on a scaled down level. Our interviews with these persons have, in some instances, gone to the heart of their personal lives, in some instances dealing with issues that have to do with the survival of families. There is no question in our minds than that if these businesses are allowed to ‘go under,’ the knock-on effect across the country will impact on the country as a whole. Frankly, we can remember no period in the past when the need to support local small and micro businesses was more important to Guyana. We are living in a period where literally thousands of lives and livelihoods hang in the balance, a circumstance that graphically illustrates the ugly, pervasive nature of COVID-19.
Throwing our weight behind these micro and small enterprises is not just a matter of helping them to salvage their businesses, it is, in many instances a matter of helping people to lead normal lives and doing what we can to help save us from the possible social consequences of their collapse.
A few readers have already called us up with inquiries about the stories that we have published for additional information on the businesses that we have publicized. In three instances, we have received calls from micro business owners thanking us for ‘putting business’ their way. We are particularly proud of the fact that we have contributed and we continue to encourage persons of means to work with us to help these small and micro businesses survive.
