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A Call To Duty: Small Business Can Lead On Covid-19 Vaccinations And Help Bring The Economy Back

Rhett Buttle • March 1, 2021

MEDIANEWS GROUP VIA GETTY IMAGES

The rapid development of successful Covid-19 vaccines may be one of the most remarkable accomplishments in modern science. However, the Biden Administration faces what may be an even harder task in ensuring that an overwhelming majority of Americans take the vaccine. Today, it has launched a partnership opportunity with the private sector. America's large corporations will play an important role, but the real untapped resource is America’s small business owners. 


Why? 


Over 92 million people generate their livelihoods from small businesses as either an owner or an employee, representing more than one quarter of the U.S. population. According to Gallup, small business is the most trusted institution in the United States, and Americans’ confidence in small business is nearly four times higher than larger corporations. Perhaps most importantly, small business owners — and in particular business owners of color — are a trusted voice to their workers and in their communities for people who just aren’t sure yet whether to get the shot. 


With this type of reach and influence, it is critical that small businesses are supported and resourced in times of crisis. Logistical challenges in many states, pandemic fatigue, a history of racial injustice in medical care, and skepticism about the vaccine have caused some Americans to be reticent. Building our economy back better will require a rapid and far-reaching vaccination strategy, and Main Street can be a leader in this area. 


President Biden’s call to action asks small businesses to adopt a mask policy, establish a vaccine plan for each of their employees, and amplify the importance and safety of the vaccine. If you are a small business owner, you can answer this call to action by being a leader in raising awareness and support for the Covid-19 vaccine. Here are three immediate steps to consider. 


1. Educate Yourself and Help Your Employees Understand the Importance and Safety of the Covid-19 Vaccine: After more than a year of the pandemic, there are still confusion and misunderstanding about a virus that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 83 million Americans have acquired at some point. As a small business owner, you can help counter confusing messages by getting yourself up to speed and educating your employees on the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and why it is important that they receive it. In doing so, do not make blanket statements about the science being definitive. Take the time to explain why the benefits of taking the vaccine abundantly outweigh the risks. If you can, create a space for conversation beyond “water cooler” talk, such as hosting a roundtable with your employees. The CDC has developed a Covid-19 Vaccine Resource Center to help inform these discussions. 


2. Create a Covid-19 Vaccine Plan for Your Team: Unlike corporate America, few small business owners have a full-time human resources staff, and most have no help at all. Nevertheless, all businesses, big and small, need a vaccine plan. Whether you decide to encourage, incentivize, and/or mandate vaccinations depending on your industry, you should communicate that plan to your employees both verbally and in writing. If you intend to make vaccination mandatory, seek legal advice as you develop that plan. If you plan to incentivize receiving the vaccine, consider not only paid time off to get the shot, but also to recover from side effects if they occur. Another step you can take is to keep your employees apprised of updates on vaccine eligibility and where to register. The law firm Fisher Phillips has developed an employer resource center with vaccine policy templates that can assist with Covid, as well as during flu season. The CDC has co-developed a Vaccine Finder that can help you locate a vaccine site near you. 


3. Become Ambassadors in Your Community: Once you have championed the vaccine in your business, you can become an ambassador in your community. Work with your local public health department and other government agencies to see how you can support efforts to maximize the distribution of the vaccine. In addition, you can encourage your local chamber of commerce or rotary club to host an educational conversation on this topic. 



The sooner Main Street is able to fully reopen, the sooner our economy will be on the path to recovery. It’s up to the small business owners on Main Streets to help us get to that point faster by showing leadership in a safe and equitable distribution of Covid-19 vaccines.

This piece originally appeared in Forbes on February 26, 2021. You can view it online here.

Rhett Buttle is the founder of Public Private Strategies, Executive Director of the Small Business Roundtable, Founder of the NextGen Chamber of Commerce, a Senior Fellow at The Aspen Institute, and a contributor for Forbes.

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December 13, 2024
Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, joined Fox Live Now to talk about the state of the economy and the outlook for 2024. Watch the full interview here or below.
October 7, 2024
*This article was written by Scripps News Staff. President Joe Biden announced that the government will cover 100% of Hurricane Helene cleanup costs for the next several months to pay for the urgent work to clear the mud, remove downed trees and provide temporary housing. The federal support comes as residents in multiple Southeastern states are still struggling to return to normal following last week’s storm that killed over 200 people. Katie Vlietstra Wonnenberg, a small business advocate and political strategist, said it is going to take a significant amount of time to finish the cleanup, no matter how hard the federal government works. Read the entire piece on Scripps News.
October 1, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This month marks the anniversary of two pivotal pieces of legislation that are helping fuel a small business boom, the CHIPS & Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. Over the past four years, there has been a historic growth of American entrepreneurship across the country, with over 18 million new business applications filed, each one an act of hope and optimism in our economic future. This small business boom is fueled by investments like the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS & Science Act. Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, released the following statement: “As we mark the two-year anniversaries of the CHIPS & Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, the positive impact across the business landscape, and particularly for entrepreneurs, is unmistakable. The CHIPS & Science Act is fueling entrepreneurship opportunities by dedicating over $50 million to help develop new ideas and technologies to strengthen domestic semiconductor production and supply chain. “The Inflation Reduction Act has helped lower costs for workers and consumers, driving up demand for small businesses across the country. The healthcare provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act alone are saving millions Americans an average of $800 per year on health insurance premiums. These investments have helped fuel America’s small business boom, including a record 18 million new small business applications filed over the past four years. “We have more work to do to address the issues that business owners have consistently said are their top priorities, from lowering health care and prescription drug costs to expanding and streamlining contracting opportunities for small employers to strengthening and protecting American democracy . We remained committed to working with business leaders to address these challenges and ensure these investments are implemented effectively to grow economies and support communities all across the country.” ### About Rhett Buttle Founder & CEO, Public Private Strategies President, Public Private Strategies Institute Senior Fellow, The Aspen Institute Rhett Buttle is an entrepreneur, advocate, and one of the most trusted leaders at the intersection of business and policy in Washington, DC. He has worked for President Biden, Vice President Harris, President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in government and campaign roles. Rhett is the founder of Public Private Strategies (PPS) and President of the Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI), which works to bring together the public and private sectors to build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive policy and market outcomes. In these roles, he advises leading policy makers, foundations, nonprofits, and corporations. In addition to PPS and PPSI, he has helped found the Small Business Roundtable, Small Business for America’s Future, and the Next Gen Chamber of Commerce. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Aspen Institute and a regular contributor to Forbes, where he writes on the intersection of business, policy, and politics. Rhett has also been featured in The New York Times, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and several other business publications. About Public Private Strategies Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges. By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes. Learn more at www.publicprivatestrategies.com .
August 21, 2024
Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, joined LiveNOW Fox to talk about Night 3 of the Democratic National Convention.
August 20, 2024
Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, joined LiveNOW Fox to talk about Night 2 of the Democratic National Convention.
August 19, 2024
Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, joined Scripps News to discuss Night 1 of the Democratic National Convention.
August 15, 2024
Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, joined Scripps News to discuss what a Kamala Harris Presidency could mean for small businesses. Watch the interview below
August 9, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This month marks the anniversary of two pivotal pieces of legislation that are helping fuel a small business boom, the CHIPS & Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. Over the past four years, there has been a historic growth of American entrepreneurship across the country, with over 18 million new business applications filed, each one an act of hope and optimism in our economic future. This small business boom is fueled by investments like the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS & Science Act. Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, released the following statement: “As we mark the two-year anniversaries of the CHIPS & Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, the positive impact across the business landscape, and particularly for entrepreneurs, is unmistakable. The CHIPS & Science Act is fueling entrepreneurship opportunities by dedicating over $50 million to help develop new ideas and technologies to strengthen domestic semiconductor production and supply chain. “The Inflation Reduction Act has helped lower costs for workers and consumers, driving up demand for small businesses across the country. The healthcare provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act alone are saving millions Americans an average of $800 per year on health insurance premiums. These investments have helped fuel America’s small business boom, including a record 18 million new small business applications filed over the past four years. “We have more work to do to address the issues that business owners have consistently said are their top priorities, from lowering health care and prescription drug costs to expanding and streamlining contracting opportunities for small employers to strengthening and protecting American democracy . We remained committed to working with business leaders to address these challenges and ensure these investments are implemented effectively to grow economies and support communities all across the country.” ### About Rhett Buttle Founder & CEO, Public Private Strategies President, Public Private Strategies Institute Senior Fellow, The Aspen Institute Rhett Buttle is an entrepreneur, advocate, and one of the most trusted leaders at the intersection of business and policy in Washington, DC. He has worked for President Biden, Vice President Harris, President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in government and campaign roles. Rhett is the founder of Public Private Strategies (PPS) and President of the Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI), which works to bring together the public and private sectors to build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive policy and market outcomes. In these roles, he advises leading policy makers, foundations, nonprofits, and corporations. In addition to PPS and PPSI, he has helped found the Small Business Roundtable, Small Business for America’s Future, and the Next Gen Chamber of Commerce. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Aspen Institute and a regular contributor to Forbes, where he writes on the intersection of business, policy, and politics. Rhett has also been featured in The New York Times, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and several other business publications. About Public Private Strategies Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges. By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes. Learn more at www.publicprivatestrategies.com .
July 21, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, President Joe Biden announced his decision to withdraw from the presidential race. Rhett Buttle, National Business Advisor to Biden for President in 2020, CEO of Public Private Strategies & Co-Founder of the Business & Democracy Initiative , released the following statement: “President Joe Biden showed us what selfless leadership in support of democracy looks like. “Through his work with policymakers across the aisle, President Biden and Vice President Harris led the country back from the brink during a pandemic and delivered bipartisan historic investments that will continue to ripple across our economy for generations, fueling strong job growth. The American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS & Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act are some of the most significant economic achievements in modern American history. “This has led to record numbers of new business starts—more than 17.2 million—each one an act of hope and optimism for our future. We look forward to working with the Biden-Harris Administration over the next few months to continue strengthening our economy in support of businesses and workers all across the country.” ### About Rhett Buttle, Founder, Public Private Strategies and President, Public Private Strategies Institute Rhett Buttle is an entrepreneur, advocate, and one of the most trusted leaders at the intersection of business and policy in Washington, DC. Most recently, Rhett served as National Business Advisor to President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign. He has worked for President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Rhett is the founder of Public Private Strategies (PPS) and President of the Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI), which works to bring together the public and private sectors to build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive policy and market outcomes. In these roles, he advises leading policymakers, foundations, nonprofits, and corporations. About Public Private Strategies Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges. By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes. Learn more at www.publicprivatestrategies.com . As the United States marks the 14th anniversary of the AffordableCare Act (ACA), more Americans now have health care coverage than ever before. Since its enactment in 2010, the ACA has been a vital tool for Main Street, providing access to affordable healthcare options and fostering a healthier, more productive workforce.
April 29, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its March jobs report, showing the US economy added 303,000 jobs in March while the unemployment rate fell to 3.8%. CNN characterized US job growth in March as “whopping,” with gains far outpacing economists' expectations. In response to the strong jobs report, Rhett Buttle, Founder of Public Private Strategies, released the following statement: “The labor market continues to exceed economists’ expectations, with over 300,000 jobs added in March – 50% more than economists anticipated. Bipartisan investments like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS & Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act are fueling broad-based economic growth that is strengthening the labor market, increasing consumer confidence , and leading to over 16 million new small business applications in the past three years – the most ever in that period and a reflection of deep optimism among American entrepreneurs about our economic future.” “Lawmakers must continue to double down on America’s economic momentum, and that starts with addressing the issues that business owners say are their top priorities, from lowering health care and prescription drug costs to strengthening and protecting American democracy .” ### About Rhett Buttle, Founder, Public Private Strategies and President, Public Private Strategies Institute Rhett Buttle is an entrepreneur, advocate, and one of the most trusted leaders at the intersection of business and policy in Washington, DC. Most recently, Rhett served as National Business Advisor to President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign. He has worked for President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Rhett is the founder of Public Private Strategies (PPS) and President of the Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI), which works to bring together the public and private sectors to build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive policy and market outcomes. In these roles, he advises leading policymakers, foundations, nonprofits, and corporations. About Public Private Strategies Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges. By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes. Learn more at www.publicprivatestrategies.com . As the United States marks the 14th anniversary of the AffordableCare Act (ACA), more Americans now have health care coverage than ever before. Since its enactment in 2010, the ACA has been a vital tool for Main Street, providing access to affordable healthcare options and fostering a healthier, more productive workforce.
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