Laid off from childcare due to Covid-19

 by Joshua Labrecque 

Amy Kay, who did not want to use her real name, was shaken by the news from her boss. He said, “The job of having to let employees weighs heavy on me, but I have to let you go.

Kay was one of many who were laid off due to the Covid-19 crisis. She was site supervisor of a before and after school program and preschool. This included 100 students ages 3-10, and a staff of 15 people. She said, “My immediate reaction was it was expected as we are a self sustaining program that relies on tuition to pay staff salaries as well as programs costs, but I was still shocked that it happened.” Her boss told her that she had to go because he could not sustain keeping her and other employees on without income coming in.

She told me that she was very worried about not getting a paycheck that is needed to support the family and that without a paycheck coming in it stresses her out. There are things that have been affecting her personally. She said that she has not been able to sleep or lose weight like she has been. Kay also has been questioning purchases, only buying what is absolutely necessary like food and shelter items. 

She said even though this has been a tough time some good has come out of it. Kay said, “I have been doing more home projects that I haven’t had time to do, more family time with my son and husband,  and walking to clear my mind.”

Kay has now filled for unemployment but has yet to hear from the state. Her unemployment application was submitted two-plus weeks ago, but  over 6 million have applied for unemployment. The state of Connecticut only processed 104,000 applications last week.  She said while the payments will be retroactive to her filing date, it’s difficult not having any money coming in. The maximum unemployment pay is less than half of what Kay regularly makes. 

She said, “The governor states that they are inundated with claims and he says the money will be coming, but you can’t file until your claim has been processed.”  It worries her how much longer she can maintain the household. Hher husband  is still working, but she states that savings and sacrifices will only take them so far. 

Feature Writing student Joshua Labrecque is doing well in this time of crisis. He hopes everyone is staying safe and being smart about what they do during these hard times.