There are so many beautiful occurrences amidst the terrifying backdrop of the covid-19 economic and societal shutdown. Neighborhoods have unified to serve the needs of those within. Families spread out across the world are using Zoom to play games and reconnect with each other. Landlords are waiving rents for their commercial tenants whose businesses have been destroyed. I’ve seen examples of the best side of humanity: the decency and civility, the compassion and support. But not everywhere, not from everyone. 

Small businesses employ more Americans than large corporations, yet we are being asked to take out loans to shore up our crumbling walls while they receive handouts, handouts that we as taxpayers will carry as a burden. Yet small businesses are the epicenter of their communities, the centers of connection, employing community members who have kids in the local schools and play in youth sport leagues, eat at local restaurants, and shop at local markets.  Most small business owners rely on Square for our point-of-sale and credit card processing systems. Square created a great platform so that we can easily run any type of businesses, having it as the conduit between our cash register and our accounting systems with very little competition. Now that so many businesses are shuttered, with those that are allowed to remain open suffering, Square has offered some free services, yet no drop in transaction or processing fees. When contacted about the enormous drop in revenue small businesses are facing, Square has refused to lower or waive these fees so that we can keep our doors open.

I’m asking you to waive these fees for the next 1 to 3 months. All any business owner wants to do is get their doors back open, get their employees back to work, and get back to connecting with their communities. We need Square to be part of the solution, part of the bright side of humanity.