The phrases "we are closed" and "nobody wants to work" have been trending on Twitter amid businesses struggling to keep their operations afloat during the pandemic. 

Back in April, a Sonic in Albuquerque, New Mexico posted a sign on their drive-thru booth that read "no one wants to work anymore," The Sun reported.

"We are short-staffed," the sign read. "Please be patient with the staff that did show up."

Just a few days prior, a similar sign was seen at a McDonald's.

While it remains unclear why the staff at the fast-food chains did not show up to work, people on Twitter chimed in with various reasons as the cause. 

Twitter users have pointed to the minimum wage as an obvious reason for fewer employees showing up at their place of employment. 

Some Twitter users acknowledged the minimum wage, but also expressed concern for toxic work environments. 

However, some people placed the blame on greedy CEOs. 

People magazine reported back in April that notable businesses were being forced to close their doors or file for bankruptcy as a result of the pandemic.

But as companies struggle with similar setbacks, business owners are citing unemployment benefits and at-home responsibilities as roadblocks to operating at full capacity, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Women, in particular, have been impacted severely by the pandemic as they've been forced to leave their jobs and assume childcare duties at home.

Additionally, working-class Black women have prioritized their health, which has been put at risk during the COVID-19 outbreak, robbing them of the opportunity to contribute financially to their households.

Republicans are criticizing the White House, saying that the extension of federal employment benefits is discouraging workers from returning to their job, according to the New York Times. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said the president was placing "handcuffs" on the economy.

CBS8 reported that working-class Americans who earned less than $32,000 annually could potentially make more money receiving unemployment benefits. 

“You could potentially earn $750 a week maximum in California using unemployment. That can be a disincentive to some workers especially some of those workers in lower-paid jobs,” Dan Roccato, a clinical professor of finance at the University of San Diego, said.

But, President Joe Biden has placed blame on corporate America for not doing more to entice employees to return back to work. 

“My expectation is that, as our economy comes back, these companies will provide fair wages and safe work environments.” 

Covid-19Unemployment