The state of the economy can be evaluated by data released by the Census Bureau with reference to small businesses and households in the period January 10th through January 16th 2022.
The Small Business Pulse Survey estimated that:-
- 15 percent of U.S. small businesses required employees to provide proof of vaccination and the same number, negative COVID 19 tests.
- 30 percent of small businesses experienced difficulties hiring aid or employees during the week of review
- 45 percent of small businesses experienced delays from suppliers and 26 percent experienced delays in delivery to customers.
- 36 percent of U.S. food service and accommodations small businesses confirmed that they need to increase marketing or sales during the coming month.
For the household study covering December 29th 2021 through January 10th 2022:
- 38 percent of households with children under 5 experienced disruptions in child care services
- 38 percent of homes with children received some form of food assistance
- 54 percent of adults lived in households where at least one member worked at an on site workplace
- 22 percent of adults lived in households that were unable to pay energy bills in full over the past 12 months
- 79 percent of adults living in households receiving a Child Tax Credit payment during the past four weeks applied the payment to reduce debt
- 10 percent of adults lived in homes where there was some or frequent shortage of food over the past seven days
- 7 percent of adults are not current on either rent or mortgage payments
- 36 percent of adults living in households not current on their rent or mortgage payments anticipate either an eviction or foreclosure over the next two months
- 31 percent of adults living in households reported difficulty in paying usual expenses
Current Congressional debate as to the necessity for support programs initiated at the beginning of the COVID pandemic should appreciate the circumstances of a broad segment of the population both urban and rural, as disclosed by this Pulse Survey. The financial stringency of both small businesses and households has implications for expenditure on protein and predicates a search for value favoring eggs and chicken over red meat as a valued source of protein.