Republican lawmakers proposed a $1 trillion coronavirus relief package, dubbed the HEALS Act, to address issues including small business loans and expanding jobless aid, but the legislation includes a detail that hasn't been as widely discussed: A bill that includes a provision to compensate businesses for "looting and vandalism due to public disturbances that occurred during 2020,” Business Insider reported. In short, the plan would extend Paycheck Protection Program loans to businesses for damages that occurred during protests that are not already covered by insurance. Since George Floyd's death at the knee of a police officer in May, protests have erupted in every state in the U.S., and many parts of the world. To the chagrin of many protesting systemic racism and police brutality, vandalism and theft have followed some of the protests. Small businesses have not been immune. In Atlanta, restaurant owner Derrick Hayes was left reeling when the windows of his restaurant were smashed. Hayes turned to GoFundMe to make up the losses, and since meeting his goals, is working on fundraising for other Black-owned businesses negatively affected by vandalism and theft. Still, the national conversation around protest and vandalism is fraught. 64% of Americans are sympathetic to protesters, but 79% say that property damage ultimately undermines their cause, according to a Reuters/Ipsos survey. This provision is part of a larger bill that would offer an additional $60 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses. It would allow employers to get a second Paycheck Protection loan, with a focus on businesses that are owned by people of color, reliant on seasonal revenues, or situated in low-income communities. The bill also expands paycheck protection program funds for personal protective equipment, testing, cleaning, and other expenses that make their establishments safer.
