Opinion column
by Murrel Bland
The bad news is that these are uncertain times for businesses. The good news is there are many resources for those who have lost business because of the coronavirus pandemic.
That was quite obvious as I had a recent extended convention with Greg Kindle, the president of the Wyandotte Economic Development Council. Various areas in Wyandotte County are being hit hard including retail portions of Village West including Nebraska Furniture Mart and Legends Outlet, which are closed.
Kindle said the Small Business Administration is offering help at the website www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources. Among those resources are Economic Injury Disaster Loans, which includes a $10,000 grant that does not have to be repaid, Express Bridge Loans and the Payroll Protection Program. It is best for a business representative to contact his or her banker to apply for the latter two loans.
Kindle said the Kansas Department of Commerce has launched a live chat to help fill out its COVID-19 webpage. Additional resources can be found at www.wyedc.org/covid-19-resources/.
Kindle said it will be important to find jobs for those who have been displaced. Since the coronavirus scare, the unemployment rate for Wyandotte County has jumped from about 4 percent to more than 10 percent.
I chatted by telephone with restaurant owners who are Business West owners. Loraine Waldeck, who owns MeMa’s Old Fashioned Bakery, 7634 Leavenworth Road, said all things considered, she is doing quite well. What helps MeMa’s is her wholesale commercial accounts including two grocery stores and her carryout customers.
Cassandra Savage, who with her husband Ken own nine McDonald’s restaurants in Wyandotte and Johnson counties, have been hurt by the pandemic, but have been depending on carryout and delivery. Their most profitable store has been and continues to be at 7530 State Ave. She said her company has more than 400 employees and her accountant is busy applying for the Paycheck Protect Program. The couple is rebuilding its store at 4101 Kansas Ave.
The Dotte Spot Bar and Grill at 8123 Parallel Parkway in the Arrowhead Center has closed its dining room and bar, but is continuing to offer a carryout menu.
Donna Tilden, who serves as president of Business West, is a licensed health and life insurance agent. She offers the attachment “COVID-19” Resources to explain what is covered.
Melissa Brune Bynum, the president-elect of Business West and a Unified Government commissioner, offers a resource attachment.
Kathleen Meyers Baska, the owner of Mary Butler Meyers Family Funeral Home, said a message from R. Bryant Hightower, the president of the National Funeral Directors Association, speaks to the need for the funeral home staff and clergy to protect the health of the attendees by limiting those to 10 persons attending the funeral. Further details can be found at the website https://www.marybutlermeyers.com/.
Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press. He is the executive director of Business West.
Insurance provider websites are addressing how they are handling the COVID-19 situation. Members may click on the links to find out how each carrier is providing no-cost care related to COVID-19, telemedicine appointments, premium payments and more.
Individual health plans:
Ambetter – https://ambetter.sunflowerhealthplan.com/coronavirus.html
Cigna – https://www.cigna.com/coronavirus
Medica – https://medica.com/corp/covid-19
Oscar – https://www.hioscar.com/covid19
Medicare plans:
Aetna – https://www.aetna.com/individuals-families/member-rights-resources/need-to-know-coronavirus.html
BCBSKS – https://www.bluekc.com/consumer/covid-19.html
Cigna – https://www.cigna.com/coronavirus/medicare-and-medicaid
Humana – https://www.humana.com/coronavirus
United Health Care – https://www.uhc.com/health-and-wellness/health-topics/covid-19
Group health insurers:
BCBSKC – https://www.bluekc.com/consumer/covid-19.html
Cigna – https://www.cigna.com/coronavirus/employers
Humana – https://www.humana.com/coronavirus
United Health Care – https://www.uhc.com/health-and-wellness/health-topics/covid-19
- Insurance list from Donna Tilden, Benefits Design Group
