Bluegrass Times

For a small businessman like Jason Masters this has been a waking nightmare.

Masters, 48, operates a cleaning business based in Nicholasville, Ky.. He said the financial downturn has been painful and an eye-opener.

“I’ve been cleaning windows since 1993, I’m currently self-employed, the sole proprietor of Masters Window Cleaning,” he told Bluegrass Times. “I’ve been in business for several years, and it would be safe to say that I alone perform/complete all of the jobs, duties, and functions associated with this business, with the exception of an every once in a while helping hand.”

On March 22, Gov. Andy Beshear ordered all non-life-sustaining businesses to close by 8 p.m. March 24. In two days, Kentucky fell silent.

Beshear has announced a plan for a slow reopening of Bluegrass State businesses as long as coronavirus numbers head in the right direction.

He will allow manufacturing, construction, vehicle and vessel dealerships, pet grooming and boarding, professional services at half-capacity, and horse racing with no spectators, to resume May 11.

Retail stores and churches and other houses of worship can resume normal activities as long as they observe social distancing and other safety practices May 20.

Social gatherings with 10 or fewer people can be held starting May 25, and barber shops, hair salons, beauty shops and other related businesses can reopen then, too.

Masters said he needs businesses to start up so he can get to work and earn some income.

“The biggest concerns I’m facing currently due to the COVID-19 pandemic is the financial beating that I am taking," he said. "It has all but crippled me. I own a small window cleaning business and, as the sole proprietor, I take the financial hit directly full force. When small businesses in Kentucky were ordered to close their doors to most foot traffic, and some closing down all together, it immediately took about 65 percent or more of my business revenue.”

After businesses shut down, he soon lost most of his other customers.

“On the other end of it is the private homes that I service, most of them canceled appointments [most made six months in advance] due to the concerns related directly to the pandemic,” he said.

Masters said the current crisis has left him adrift with no sign of financial rescue.

“Now, myself as well as other self-employed people are at the mercy of unemployment insurance benefits extended to us by decision I believe of the governor,” he said. “Without that income I believe I would literally be out on the streets, homeless, penniless and without a clue as to what tomorrow could or would bring if I even made it through the night to see the next day.”

Only two months ago, he was a business owner who took care of himself and paid his bills by working hard. In a matter of days all that changed. It drilled home some very important messages.

“That is scary. It is very real,” Masters said. “It is a lesson never to be forgotten. To appreciate every day and to be thankful for even the smallest of things is something I never really stopped to acknowledge. But, believe me, when I say that after experiencing these toughest of times I’ve had to endure because of this pandemic, I have a much greater appreciation for everything.”

He said he will take stock of what happened and how it affected him after everyday life starts to return. He can’t wait. 

“As time passes by and, hopefully, things will start looking up and getting back to normal as I know it, I soon won’t forget all that has happened,” Masters said.