February 20, 2021 GMT
SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — The coronavirus has devastated many types of businesses, and a new study in Nebraska shows just how hard the pandemic has hit child care centers.
The Scottsbluff Star-Herald cited a new legislative study that found 231 licensed child care providers across the state have closed permanently since the pandemic began. Hundreds more shuttered temporarily, and more than half of operators said they would close permanently without further government financial assistance.
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At Golden Child Development Center in Mitchell, operator JoAnne Golden is licensed for 50 children. On some days, she has just five.
The study suggests that facility is among the lucky ones.