Students in Underground Candy Shops (SUCH) is one of the many union groups active in response to the new employment environment and social distancing requirements across the country. As schools have closed across all states, members of SUCH have realized plummeting profits as its market base decreases with every shutdown measure. As a result, they have started to put the pressure on local lawmakers to reopen public schools and open their in-person businesses again.

One sixth-grade student business leader spoke to us about her concerns with the social distancing measures. “Obviously, profits are down since school got closed. And the numbers aren’t so great. I mean, I had already asked my parents to buy a bulk pack of Twix and Snickers, but by the time they went to the store, the governor closed the schools. How am I supposed to regain that loss? Like other companies can just do online orders, but e-commerce just doesn’t work here. My clients just get their parents to buy candy for them. There’s no other solution than opening everything back up. My candy’s gonna melt soon.”

The social distancing issuances across the country are not the only problems candy vendors are facing, however. Students in SUCH find themselves in increasingly difficult circumstances to continue their main business functions.

“Ugh, I heard they’re going to install a vending machine in the hallway next week. Open or not, this is going to be some real competition. And people just aren’t into Twix anymore. It’s hard to know your market when everyone is at home. We need to open our schools.”