Weekly Address: Joe Biden on 'A Weekly Conversation: On the Line' Samir and Neal - February 13, 2021


Joe Biden on 'A Weekly Conversation: On the Line' Samir and Neal [2021-02-13]
Joe Biden
Neal Idnani
Samir Idnani
Atlanta
75 percent
America

Joe Biden
00:00:00 - 00:00:02 ()
Hello, Neal and Samir.
Unknown
Samir Idnani
00:00:02 - 00:00:03 ()
Mr. President.
Unknown
Joe Biden
00:00:03 - 00:00:06 ()
NaanStop huh? Tell me about how you got started.
Unknown
Samir Idnani
00:00:06 - 00:00:30 ()
Almost 10 years ago, my brother and I started an Indian restaurant concept. We wanted to bring our mother's cooking to the world. But when COVID hit, we had to completely adapt. We learned new strategies to handle our business, meeting our community with food at their doors, while balancing our lives at home.
Unknown
Samir Idnani
00:00:30 - 00:00:41 ()
But as small business owners during the pandemic, every day is an open question. When President Biden found out about our situation, he reached out.
Leans Positive
Joe Biden
00:00:41 - 00:00:45 ()
So how are you guys doing? It's been pretty rough, hasn't it lately?
Very Positive
Samir Idnani
00:00:45 - 00:00:49 ()
Our business has been down 75 percent, almost overnight.
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Joe Biden
00:00:49 - 00:00:51 ()
Roughly how many employees you have, Neal?
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Neal Idnani
00:00:51 - 00:01:05 ()
Well, pre-COVID, we had about 20 to 25 employees. Right now, although we haven't laid a single person off, we've offered work to anybody who wants to continue working, we're down to about in the 10 to 15 employee range.
Slightly Positive
Joe Biden
00:01:05 - 00:01:10 ()
What is the greatest need you have now for your restaurants to be able to survive?
Very Positive
Neal Idnani
00:01:10 - 00:01:18 ()
Well, the greatest need is for everybody to be vaccinated, because if people aren't out shopping, the economy grinds to a halt.
Very Positive
Joe Biden
00:01:18 - 00:01:46 ()
Well, you got it exactly right. You understand it well. The fact is that small businesses are things that hold communities together, and they provide half the workforce in America. Four hundred thousand have gone out of business, I mean permanently. I put together a rescue plan that provides tens of billions of dollars in grants to small businesses.
Very Positive
Joe Biden
00:01:46 - 00:01:55 ()
We have to invest more, not less. We got to give you a chance to rebuild, that's separate and apart from dealing with the virus. Any questions you have for me?
Slightly Positive
Neal Idnani
00:01:55 - 00:02:17 ()
Well, I think you touched on one thing that was really important to me, which is more guidance. You know, our downtown location is next to 15 international restaurants, mostly immigrant-owned. They don't have the expertise, and I'm watching my neighbors make the wrong decision about which grant to apply for and how to do it and what the timeline is.
Somewhat Positive
Neal Idnani
00:02:17 - 00:02:21 ()
If folks are going to make it through this economy, they need a little bit of guidance.
Unknown
Joe Biden
00:02:21 - 00:02:39 ()
That's why I insisted that we set up this, what we call navigators, to help people who are applying tell them how to apply, but also what you need to open up safely. Anyway, it really matters, what you're doing, and if I get to Atlanta, can I come by?
Very Positive
Neal Idnani
00:02:39 - 00:02:40 ()
Absolutely,
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Samir Idnani
00:02:40 - 00:02:41 ()
Absolutely.
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Joe Biden
00:02:41 - 00:02:46 ()
Proud to meet you guys. I look forward to seeing you in person one of these days, and I'm going to send you this material, okay?
Positive
Neal Idnani
00:02:46 - 00:02:49 ()
It's been a pleasure, Mr. President. Thank you so much.
Very Positive
Joe Biden
00:02:49 - 00:02:50 ()
Thanks.
Positive
Samir Idnani
00:02:50 - 00:02:51 ()
Thank you.
Somewhat Positive
Joe Biden
00:02:51 - 00:02:55 ()
Appreciate it.
Positive