DOVER, Del. - As many customers are rushing to the stores to stock up on groceries for quarantine, and many employees out of work, a question for many Americans is at the forefront of their mind: how will I pay my bills this month?
The U.S. Treasury Department has proposed a national stimulus package that includes $500 billion dollars in cash payments to individuals amid the COVID-19 outbreak. WBOC spoke with shoppers out stocking up on food at the Sam's Club in Dover, and those we spoke to say the proposed stimulus plan could help so many Americans, themselves and their families included.
Elaine Sestito conducts field research for the University of Michigan, and says the path moving forward is unclear for so many, including her own family.
"I think it could really help people who need it the most - I think people who are out of work are wondering how they're going to pay their rent or mortgages next week. We dont even know what our job situation is going to be in the next month or so," Sestito explained.
Dover resident Carla Stoddart agrees. She just started a new career, and the advice to quarantine has been hard on her new business venture. A government assistance program such as this could help.
"I'm a brand new realtor, and let me tell you, business is getting a little scarce for me. Absolutely that would help me with my electric bill and my mortgage. Just keep me covered," Stoddart said.
Diane Eastburn told WBOC she has already seen the toll COVID-19 can take on people's work, and thinks the government pay out could help individuals.
"There's a lot of people who are really struggling right now. I have a sister who's a food server and she's out of work. So I think anything that we can do at this point to help those kinds of people will help all of us."
The proposal, if approved by Congress, would release the first check to citizens on April 6th.
The proposed stimulus plan also proposed $300 billion in aide for small businesses.
The plan must be approved by Congress, and it is currently being developed. No concrete plans for the bill have been voted on, so it's difficult to say how much each person would get.