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Gloom Grips U.S. Small Businesses, With 52% Predicting Failure

A pedestrian wearing a protective mask passes in front of a closed pet store in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, on April 21. — A pedestrian wearing a protective mask passes in front of a closed pet store in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, on April 21.
Photographer: Michael Rayne Swensen/Bloomberg

By

Alexandre Tanzi

May 6, 2020, 5:59 PM UTC

Covid-19 could shutter most American small businesses.

That’s according to a new survey from the Society for Human Resource Management which found that 52% expect to be out of business within six months. The survey of 375 firms was conducted between April 15-21 and doesn’t account for improved business conditions as some U.S. states reopen this month.