We need for home based businesses in Davidson County to be allowed to see clients in their home. This revision has been in the works for many years. Reasons why the time is NOW more than ever.

(I am out of work with more time on my hands. So I have made this my mission and opportunity for a long overdue change).

1. Mayor Cooper has proposed a 32% property tax increase in order to continue to pay our police, fire, city workers and other city services. Which will be an added stress on residents who are already out of work due to COVID-19. Allowing us to work from home is 1 way the city and community can work together right now.

2. The mayor has a 4 phase plan to reopen. Personally, I am now going in to month 3 of no work. Month 3 of paying commercial rent prices for something that can't be used. This can't be done for the long haul or the indefinite. If I give up my office, then I give up my ability to return to work. Just like the mayor and many people right now, we are having to reevaluate our budget. There comes a point where something has to shift. Something has to give.

3. We've been asked to shelter in place and "work from home". This revision would extend that privilege to massage therapists, hair stylists, piano teachers, vocal coaches, personal trainers, tutors, etc... as we phase back in to work. Doing so also allows us more safety by reduced exposure of busy buildings, salons, and spas and other commercial spaces.

4. About 75% of my client base are the high risk individuals. In order for me to best protect them, my approach and return to work will need to be slow and systematic. Beginning with a prescreen phone consultation. Taking temperatures at the door. Both of us wearing a mask. A sanitation process in-between each client. In high traffic commercial spaces I don't have control over who is coming in and out. I have less control over sanitation and cross contamination in high foot traffic areas.

5. If Airbnbs are allowed in our neighborhoods, we should be allowed to see clients in our home on a one on one basis. This wouldn't look any different than a friend coming over for a visit. Short term rentals allow complete strangers to temporally move in to our community. 

6. The financial recovery from COVID-19 is going to be slow. Reducing the monthly overhead affords us a more graceful transition into our "new normal".

7. Nashville real estate has exploded over the years. Driving rent prices up. For individuals who make more modest wages and/ or have families, this allows them to put more money back into their homes. More money to put into savings and retirement. 

8. This would allow disabled individuals better opportunities to earn an income. They would have someone coming to them for services such as; tutoring or computer tech help. This would increase their independence.

Bottom line. These are crazy and unusual times that we are all going through together. Now is the time for this long overdue change. This one tweak in our local law, is one more detail that helps to continue to flatten the curve. It is one more way to help our residents land our feet from this experience.