A Nonessential Business

Written by Patricia Nereim

The COVID-19 virus is serious, and all people need to take he proper precautions to keep the virus from spreading. My argument is not to downplay the seriousness of this virus, but to question what is considered essential or not essential.

My bead store is considered nonessential, but stores such as Walmart, Target, and Sam’s Club are essential.  The reasoning is they sell groceries and other important products. . In addition to groceries, they sell other things such as electronics, clothes, toys, games, and even beads. To level the field, these stores should be limited to selling only what is considered truly essential and block off the other areas. Why can they sell the nonessential products that small specialty shops sell but can no longer sell because hey are closed?  Why is it essential to buy a television from a big box store, but if a small business opens to sell one, the business can be fined?  Is this fair? People are much safer in my little bead store than they are among the masses that roam the big box stores because they are bored.

Recently my daughter was in one of the “big box” stores and many people with children were just roaming the aisles throughout the store. While picking up some items, my daughter overheard some children asking their parents if they could go home because they were tired of being in the store so long. The parents responded by stating they were there because they had to get out of the house, and there was no place else to go.  Let me ask, where is the logic in this?

My store is just as essential as the other essential businesses. Beading is beneficial for children, adults, and those who are ill. Many articles have been written on the topic, and on the next few blogs, I will be sharing some of the mental and physical benefits of beading. After reading these articles, answer the question: Is beading essential? .