0693-0078_Wave2BCOVIDSME_Instrument

WAVE 2B
Small- and Medium-Sized Business Complex Event COVID-19 Survey (Wave 2)
OMB Control # 0693-0078
Expiration 07/31/2022
We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting your business. We hope to learn how
businesses like yours are adapting to the circumstances and how this may or may not be connected
to broader weather-related stressors your business may face.

Both your perspective and time are exceptionally precious, especially during these uncertain times.
Our efforts will be greatly enhanced if you can spend a few minutes filling out this survey. We ask for
no sensitive information and we will not identify you or your business. If your business has more than
one location, please answer for only one location.

The purpose of this survey is to understand what support businesses like yours need and to
communicate those to those who may be able to provide assistance. We’d like to learn about
practices taken that have helped reduce the impact of COVID-19, especially in the face of future hazard
events.

If you feel uncomfortable answering any of the questions, you can skip them, or exit the survey at any
time.

This survey should take less than 15 minutes to complete. You may opt to receive aggregate results of
the survey (at the end).

Thank you for your time and participation.
Jennifer
Applied Economics Office, National Institute of Standards and Technology
[email protected]
What is the current status of the business?
What is the current status of the business?

Temporarily closed, but plan to reopen

Fully open with the same products and services as preCOVID-19

Permanently closed

Open, but with fewer or different products or services

1

Approximately when did your business close?

Date / Time

Date

MM/DD/YYYY

Was the business closure related to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Yes
No
Other
Please explain

Did the business experience other issues that contributed to the closure? Please select all that apply.
Natural hazard or extreme weather impacts
Market/Financial volatility (e.g., lower productivity, supply
chain disruption, operational issues)
Public health concerns / illness (e.g., ability to keep
customers or yourself safe)

Workforce issues (e.g., workforce safety,
rehiring/replacing/retaining workforce)
Consumer-side issues (e.g., preferences for online
shopping, reduction in foot traffic)
Personal reasons (e.g. family responsibilities, personal
financial hardships, retirement)

Other (please specify)

Did the business implement any of the following before permanently closing? Please select all that apply
laid off some of the workforce

increased debt/borrowing

reduced salaries

converted product lines or services offered

sold some of the business’ assets

received government (national or local) support

Other (please specify)

Do you expect that the business will open again in the future?
Yes
No
Maybe

2

What is your role with this business?
Owner

Senior employee (5+ years at the business)

Manager

Employee

Assistant manager

I do not have a formal role

Other (please specify)

How many full-time AND part-time individuals did your business employ at this location at this time last year?
1-5

101-150

6-10

151-200

11-20

201-250

21-50

More than 250

51-100

Compared to this time last year what is the approximate percent CHANGE in employees at this business?
(Please include full-time AND part-time individuals)?
- 100 %

unchanged

+ 100 %

This survey section asks about the direct effects of COVID-19 [coronavirus] on your business. The COVID-19 Pandemic was declared a
National Emergency on March 13, 2020. Please answer the following questions considering the period since then, unless otherwise
stated.

If there were any public health restrictions (e.g., stay-at-home orders, movement limitations, limits on public
gatherings, or requirements for social distancing), is/was your organization designated as:

Essential
Non-essential
Some segments were essential, some were not
Unsure

3

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the continuity/stability of your day-to-day operations? Please
check all that apply for the two time periods listed.
March 13 - August 1, 2020

August 1, 2020 - Present

Closed to the public
On-site operations
ceased or reduced, but
remaining staff worked
from home
Reduced days/hours of
operation
Increased e-commerce
All staff worked from
home
Remained fully open to
the public
Added services to
business (e.g.,
contactless pick-up,
delivery, etc.)
Other (please specify)

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the operations of your business. Please respond for both time
periods.
March 13 - August 1, 2020

August 1, 2020 - Present

Stopped operation due
to external mandate
Stopped operation due
to financial issues
Decrease in revenue
Increase in revenue
Problems with my supply
chain / receiving or
shipping inventory
Issues with delivery of
products to customers
Decrease in customers
Increase in customers
Other (please specify)

4

What are the most important factors that influenced the choice of whether or not to resume operations?
(Please select no more than 5.)
Local business opening guidance

Absenteeism

Employee safety

Staff’s desire to return to work

Change in customers

Media coverage

Disruption to supply/inventory delivery

Business margins

University and school opened/closed

Costs to comply with COVID-19 requirements (e.g.,
installation of plexiglass dividers)

Nearby businesses opened/closed
Local government information/suggestion
Level of concern about infection (self, employees,
customers, and/or suppliers) Availability of personal
protective equipment and/or cleaning supplies

Change in COVID-19 infection rates
Does not apply to my business

Other (please specify)

Please select your most trusted sources of information for COVID-19 (Please select no more than 5.)
Local TV news

Faith-Based community

National TV news

Friends/family

Internet-based news media

Social Media

Local government (state or municipal)

Cellphone apps

Community leaders

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Radio

Sectoral/Trade news

Internet sources (outside of news outlets)

Other Federal Government sources

Other (please specify)

5

Since March 13, 2020, has your business requested and/or received any of the following assistance?
Requested

Received

Not Received

SBA Paycheck
Protection Program
(PPP)
SBA Economic Injury
Disaster Loans (EIDL)
Other Federal Programs
State and Local
Government
grants/loans
Banks (loans)
Personal liquidity
(savings)
Family, Friends, Crowdfunding
Postponement in
payment (rent, utilities)
Other
Unsure
This business has not
sought financial
assistance from any
source

6

Please describe anything your business has started or continues to do to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
(Please answer for the period August 1, 2020 - Present only.) Please check all that apply.
Changed products or services offered to consumers

Reduced staff

Reduced number of people allowed within the business
space

Allowed employees (some or all) to work remotely

Offered contactless pick-up or delivery

Negotiated longer payment terms for suppliers so the
company can keep its cash longer

Increased e-commerce

Collected money owed from customers as early as possible

Curb-side pick-up made available

Renegotiated current and future prices with my suppliers

Renegotiated or gave-up lease

Exchanged resources or information with other
organizations

Prioritized inventories to some customers
Reallocated products based on inventory levels

Implemented short-term alliances with my suppliers and/or
competition

Exchanged inventory with another business (to fill a gap)

None

Increased staff

Does not apply to my business

Other (please specify)

The section asks you about risks from natural hazards and extreme weather. We are interested in your business' experience in the past
and planning for the future.

What natural hazard(s) is/are of the greatest concern for your business' location? (section all that apply)
Coastal storms

Storm surge

Drought/water scarcity

Space weather

Earthquake

Tornado

Extreme cold

Tsunami

Extreme heat/heat waves

Wildfire

Flooding

Winter storms (snow, frozen rain)

Hurricane

None

Other (please specify)

7

Have any of these natural hazard events occurred at your location during the COVID-19 pandemic?
March 13 - August 1, 2020

August 1, 2020 - Present

Yes, with severe
negative impacts
Yes, with minor negative
impacts
Yes, with no negative
impacts
No
Unsure
Does not apply

Was your business' response to this event impacted by COVID-19?
No
Unsure
Yes (please specify how the business was impacted)

How did the event impact your business compared to similar events before COVID-19?
Greater impact than in the past
Similar significance to past experience(s)
Less significant than past experience(s)
First time such an event impacted my business

Was the impact greater than in the past because of the nature of the natural hazard or extreme weather event
(e.g., hurricane category or wildfire strength)?
No, COVID-19 increased the impact
Yes
Unsure

How many of these types of natural hazard events have affected your business in the past 10 years? An
estimate is fine. Affected indicates at least a one-day closure.
0

50

8

What type of actions has your business taken in the past (before COVID-19) to address natural hazards?
Floodproof building(s) - permanent (e.g., flood gate)

Increase insurance coverage, if needed

Floodproof building(s) – temporary (e.g., sand bags,
boarding doors)

Develop/update telework plans

Secure a secondary storage location
Assess building to ensure construction meets building code
standards
Perform risk assessment to identify business vulnerabilities
(to specific hazards)
Adopt strategies to stay informed of weather watches and
warnings (e.g., NOAA Weather Radio, commercial apps)
Assigned disaster responsibilities (i.e., emergency
management function) to specific employees
Perform safety drills regularly (e.g., shelter-in-place,
evacuations, telephone tree)
Develop a written emergency action plan/checklist
Back-up all important documents (digitally or stored at
secondary location)

Establish or increase remote/online sales capacity
Social media account use to provide operations information
to the public (e.g., closings)
Minimize supply chain vulnerability through multiple source
strategies
Develop a connection to local emergency management
officials
Clear debris/dry vegetation away from structures
Back-up power generation
Maintain/tune-up equipment for debris/snow removal
Keeping an emergency fund (“rainy day” money on-hand)
None
Does not apply to my business

Lift inventory and other supplies off the ground to prevent
water exposure
Perform an insurance check-up to ensure adequate
insurance coverage
Other (please specify)

Have actions taken by your business to prepare for natural disasters helped to address the impacts of COVID19?
No
Unsure
Yes (e.g., insurance purchases, teleworking, emergency supplied or finance) (please specify)

Will your planning for these types of natural hazards change in the future due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
No
Unsure
Does not apply to my business
Yes (please specify)

9

Will any of the actions taken to deal with the impacts of COVID-19 help your business deal with natural
hazards in the future?
Yes
No
Unsure
Does not apply to my business

Which actions and how do you anticipate them helping?

This section asks about your business' future plans.

This section asks you about your business' future plans.

Do natural hazards / weather events and potential impacts of these events cause concern for your business?
Yes
No
Unsure
Does not apply to my business

Have you implemented steps to reduce business risks related to natural hazard / weather events and potential
impacts?
Yes, already implemented

No, do not plan to do so

Yes, in the process of implementation

No, I don’t feel that there is anything I can do

Yes, planning to implement

Unsure

No, but would like to learn more

Do market or financial volatility (e.g., supply chain disruption, operational issues) cause concern for your
business?
Yes
No
Unsure
Does not apply to my business

10

Have you implemented steps to reduce business risks related to market or financial volatility?
Yes, already implemented

No, do not plan to do so

Yes, in the process of implementation

No, I don’t feel that there is anything I can do

Yes, planning to implement

Unsure

No, but would like to learn more

Will a subsequent wave of COVID-19 associated restrictions cause concern for your business?
Yes
No
Unsure
Does not apply to my business

Have you implemented steps to reduce business risks related to a potential second wave of COVID-19
associated restrictions?
Yes, already implemented

No, do not plan to do so

Yes, in the process of implementation

No, I don’t feel that there is anything I can do

Yes, planning to implement

Unsure

No, but would like to learn more

Do other public health issues (e.g., flu season) cause concern for your business?
Yes
No
Unsure
Does not apply to my business

Have you implemented steps to reduce business risks from other public health concerns?
Yes, already implemented

No, do not plan to do so

Yes, in the process of implementation

No, I don’t feel that there is anything I can do

Yes, planning to implement

Unsure

No, but would like to learn more

11

Do workforce issues (e.g., workforce safety, workforce reduction, absenteeism, retaining/rehiring staff) cause
concern for your business?
Yes
No
Unsure
Does not apply to my business

Have you implemented steps to reduce business risks from workforce concerns?
Yes, already implemented

No, do not plan to do so

Yes, in the process of implementation

No, I don’t feel that there is anything I can do

Yes, planning to implement

Unsure

No, but would like to learn more

Do consumer-side issues (e.g., preferences for online shopping, reductions in foot traffic, low holiday season
sales) cause concern for your business?
Yes
No
Unsure
Does not apply to my business

Have you implemented steps to reduce business risks from consumer-side concerns?
Yes, already implemented

No, do not plan to do so

Yes, in the process of implementation

No, I don’t feel that there is anything I can do

Yes, planning to implement

Unsure

No, but would like to learn more

At this point do you feel that you have the resources needed to protect your business against the risks you
just identified?
Yes
No
Unsure

What resources, information, or support do you feel you need to be better protected against the risks you
identified?

12

How much time do you think will pass from TODAY until your business returns to its pre-COVID-19 conditions
(e.g., operational level)?
already there

12-18 months

1 month or less

more than 18 months

2-3 months

unlikely to resume operations at that level

4-6 months

unlikely to resume operations at all

6-12 months

unsure

Other (please specify)

This section asks you to provide some information about your business and yourself.

Which sector best describes your business?
Construction

Professional, scientific, and technical services

Manufacturing

Health and medical services

Retail trade

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation

Accommodation and Food Services

Food processing, agriculture

Wholesale trade

Natural resource management

Transportation and Warehousing

Fuel production

Finance and Insurance

Fishing/aquaculture

Information (e.g. radio, newspaper, television,
telecommunications)

Tourism

Real estate, rentals, and leasing

Before COVID-19 what was the typical monthly revenue for your business (not including any financial
assistance or loans)? Please use this time in 2019 for reference.
$0 - $500

$125,001 - $200,000

$501 - $2,500

$200,001 - $500,000

$2,501 - $5,000

$500,001 - $1,000,000

$5,001 - $15,000

$1,000,001 or more

$15,001 - $50,000

Unsure

$50,001 - $125,000

Prefer not to respond

13

What percent change did you see in monthly revenue due to COVID-19 last month relative to that time last
year?
-100%

no change

+ 100%

Of your monthly expenses, what percentage goes toward payments for things that no longer generate
revenue? (e.g., indoor dining space that can't be used, office space that is not currently occupied? In nothing
has changed please selection "no change"
0 % (no change)

100 %

For how many years has your business been at its current location?

How would you describe your business? Check ALL options that apply
Woman-owned business * (the business need not be
Federally registered as such)

Family-owned * (the business need not be Federally
registered as such)

Minority-owned * (the business need not be Federally
registered as such)

Immigrant-owned

Veteran-owned * (the business need not be Federally
registered as such)
Other (please specify)

Please indicate your ethnicity.
Hispanic or Latino
Not Hispanic or Latino

Please indicate your race. (Select one or more categories)
American Indian or Alaska Native,
Asian
Black or African American
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
White

14

How would you describe your business' ownership structure? Check ALL that apply
Single owner

Multi-location

Partnership

Home-based business

Corporation

For-profit

Franchise

Non-profit

Cooperative
Other (please specify)

Is anyone employed by your business disabled?
Yes
No
Unsure
Other (please specify)

15

Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements.
(1 = least agreement and 5 = greatest agreement)
1 (least agreement)

2

3

4

5
(greatest agreement)

COVID-19 did not
impact my business in
any significant manner
COVID-19 posed the
greatest risk yet to my
organization’s survival
The impacts of COVID19 will leave my
organization unable to
cope with a natural
disaster, should one
occur, in the next year
I am not concerned
about a second wave of
COVID-19 and the
potential effects on my
organization
Stress on my business
from COVID-19 has
created increased stress
in my home life
Stress in my home life
from COVID-19 has
created increased stress
for my business

Please consider providing your first name and your business email address, below. We’d like to follow-up with
you on your responses and send a report of the findings for this wave of data collection and request your
participation in the future.
E-mail address
First name

Is there anything else you would like to share at this time?

THANK YOU
If there is anything you would like us to know, please feel free to follow-up with us at [email protected]

16

A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for
failure to comply with an information collection subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 unless the
information collection has a currently valid OMB Control Number. The approved OMB Control Number for this information collection is
0693 0078 . Without this approval, we could not conduct this survey/information collection. Public reporting for this information collection
is estimated to be approximately 15 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources,
gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the information collection. All responses to this information
collection are voluntary. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection, including
suggestions for reducing this burden to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Attn: Dr. Jennifer Helgeson, NIST,
100 Bureau Drive, MS 8603, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1710, telephone 301-975-6133, or via email: [email protected]

17