Kathmandu. The city of Kathmandu is a place where many come to grow and see their dreams come to fruition. Many thrive within the Nepalese capital while many others return to their respective hometowns in despair. Some neither thrive nor return and are bound within the vicious cycle of making ends meet within the boundaries of the metropolitan.

The onset of the rapid spread of coronavirus has made lives difficult for everyone. However, business owners seem to be facing the dilemma of whether to run the business to earn their daily living for sustenance or to succumb to the deadly virus jeopardizing their health.

Kathmandu, a hub for the businesses, appears deserted during this festive season in comparison to previous years. New Road and Mahaboudha, probably the most jam-packed shopping areas are now empty pertaining to the chaos the COVID-19 pandemic has offered.

As saddening as it is true, business owners are facing a difficult time as the sales have plummeted drastically while the cost of renting spaces to conduct businesses is the same leading to a massive deficit. Given the scenario sales banners with attractive discounts are ubiquitous in an attempt to lure customers.

Similar story is that of a fruit vendor in Baneshwor selling bananas at Rs. 100 a dozen. He, wishing to remain anonymous, mentioned that sales had dropped this year and was facing a difficulty to provide for his family. Previously he would bear the profit of as much as Rs. 5000 a day but this year it was difficult to make ends meet.

The major concern for all business owners is the dilemma of prioritization. If they were to run businesses, the imminent danger of contracting the virus would always be there, while if they didn’t, financial hardship would make life even more difficult. Such is the plight of most people in these difficult times and an apt solution seems a long way for now.