Pandemic Recovery?

I just noticed this vacant car dealership yesterday.  I can't be sure, but I think it is a Covid19 economic victim. I am sure, like many businesses, it was struggling before the State of Emergency but even with generous government assistance couldn't see a pathway to the future.  I wonder how many families this represented. 

The residents in Dauphin and surrounding community articulated extremely well what the closing of the jail would do for Dauphin.  It was more than 70 jobs lost.  It meant 70 families were likely going to be lost.  70 houses put on the market that was already struggling.  Great opportunity for those wanting to buy in Dauphin and also will bring down the housing prices throughout the community.  The 70 families had a huge economic impact in tp the community in terms of shopping, eating out, worshiping, volunteering, etc.  The closure of the jail likely means that two or more teachers will lose their jobs.  There will be less revenue coming into the town coffers.  The closure will likely start a lot of dominoes falling.  I don't think Dauphin has a Dominos Pizza but if they do, it will probably fall, too.  Not to mention, that Dauphin has always been the hub of the parkland with many regional offices for provincial and federal government.  I fear this closure is the first of what will be further cuts.  The City of Sunshine may be back to The Friendly Town of Progress and Beauty.  For some reason, the provincial government closed the jail during Phase 1 re-opening, adding to the stress of families by having to move, etc.  The very least that should have happened was for them to wait until the province is fully re-opened. 

Regardless, Dauphin will get a small revenge.  It is only a matter of a couple of weeks where the debate will resurface of whether society should provide a minimum basic income to all. The right-wingers will claim that would be the equivalent of the sky falling.  They will want data and they will want examples of whether this will work.  Well, it just so happens that Dauphin was subject to this in the late 60s and early 70s.  There is extensive data on this and the Dauphin example has been studied throughout the world.  People will be questioning the provincial government on why they started to dismantle Dauphin when Dauphin has worked so hard to maintain the community viability. 

However, I have gone off track.  It is just that I am so disappointed with the closure of the jail.  The point that I was trying to make is that there will be enough economic fall out from the pandemic that we don't need the government chipping in.  Small local businesses are going to struggle.  Perhaps, I should say continue to struggle.  If they don't have a life raft, many will close, and then the dominoes will start falling.  Even Dominos are having ridiculous savings trying to keep their ovens busy. 

It was just a coincidence that when I was taking the picture of the closed car lot, the Major Incident Response Vehicle was driving by.  Yes, when people are backed into a wall financially, there will be more crime.  It saddened me that this vehicle, the size of a bus, was labelled 1.  Do we have a fleet of these somewhere?  That thought was very chilling. 

There is only one way I can help.  I can tell your stories.  If you know of a small business owner that would like to be promoted, send them my way.