# Businesses that either won’t be hurt or will profit during the COVID-19 crisis **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [March 24, 2020, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-that-either-won-t-be-hurt-or-will-profit-during-the-covid-19-crisis/850150 "2020-03-24T05:15:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-that-either-won-t-be-hurt-or-will-profit-during-the-covid-19-crisis/850150/1 "2020-03-24T05:15:15Z")
Off the top of my head: ANYONE involved in healthcare, from hospitals to suppliers to pharmacies I think is the most obvious one. Grocers and food producers Online television and movie on demand companies News media Book publishers Video game providers Toilet paper manufacturers Alcohol makers that can deliver Who am I missing? I’m sure many! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-that-either-won-t-be-hurt-or-will-profit-during-the-covid-19-crisis/850150/2 "2020-03-24T05:19:03Z")
Hospitals will get hurt- staffs will be significantly infected. But yes, they will be doing more business. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-that-either-won-t-be-hurt-or-will-profit-during-the-covid-19-crisis/850150/3 "2020-03-24T05:29:29Z")
My roommate is a dispatcher for a concrete company and they have been and will be working a lot more because business owners I guess think, “hey the office is closed! Might as well get that parking lot re-done!” My poor diabetic, in-poor-health roommate thought until this afternoon they would be closing up because you’d think construction wouldn’t be “essential” other than for emergencies but no, he’ll be working. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-that-either-won-t-be-hurt-or-will-profit-during-the-covid-19-crisis/850150/4 "2020-03-24T06:18:07Z")
As a primary care doctor, I’m already hurting. We are cancelling all appointments for elderly patients. Most routine things we are handling over the telephone, for which we do not get paid. I am not seeing enough patients to cover overhead but am doing twice as much work with all the telephone calls. Not everybody in healthcare is cleaning up. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-that-either-won-t-be-hurt-or-will-profit-during-the-covid-19-crisis/850150/5 "2020-03-24T06:30:53Z")
I hope my company still profits. It’s how I get paid. Maybe the OP was poorly worded. Or companies are supposed to lose money. Not sure where this is going. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-that-either-won-t-be-hurt-or-will-profit-during-the-covid-19-crisis/850150/6 "2020-03-24T06:54:56Z")
Mortuaries Cemeteries Casket companies Crematoriums ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-that-either-won-t-be-hurt-or-will-profit-during-the-covid-19-crisis/850150/7 "2020-03-24T09:47:10Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > ANYONE involved in healthcare, from hospitals to suppliers to pharmacies I think is the most obvious one. Well… except for the ones who catch the virus and die of it… > [@](#): > > Grocers and food producers In another thread I’ve already pointed out that while more money is coming in a lot of it is going right out the door again because of increased costs for extra delivery, more cleaning, overtime for employees, hiring new staff for employees being quarantined for 14 days, and providing sick pay for those employees (“no paid leave” was standard in the industry up until now). So, sure, we’re bringing money in but all this is costing us more, too. > [@](#): > > Online television and movie on demand companies Yeah, maybe. > [@](#): > > News media Except for the reporters who get exposed and come down with the virus. Don’t think any of them have died yet but it could just be a matter of time. > [@](#): > > Book publishers yeah, maybe > [@](#): > > Video game providers Except for folks like GameStop ordered to close. > [@](#): > > Toilet paper manufacturers They were already running at full capacity - there’s no way to increase that short term so no, they aren’t going to make any more money than they otherwise would have. > [@](#): > > Alcohol makers that can deliver Except for the ones switching over to hand sanitizer - some are selling it and some are donating it. Also, some states don’t allow alcohol delivery. > [@](#): > > Who am I missing? I’m sure many! Probably not as many as you think, or as much. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-that-either-won-t-be-hurt-or-will-profit-during-the-covid-19-crisis/850150/8 "2020-03-24T11:22:03Z")
An online vegetable seed merchant I know said they’re currently flat out keeping up with their increased demand- a lot of people stuck at home are working in the garden, worried about getting fresh vegetables in the months to come, or teaching the kids to grow stuff while they’re off school. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-that-either-won-t-be-hurt-or-will-profit-during-the-covid-19-crisis/850150/9 "2020-03-24T11:34:05Z")
Zoom, and other telecommuting platforms. Tens of millions of people are exploring the brand new world of telecommuting for the first time. A lot of these platforms have expanded their free level of service to help out. I assume in addition to altruism, one motive is that this is a great time to get people used to the platforms. And more power to them. This goes for distance learning resources, as well. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-that-either-won-t-be-hurt-or-will-profit-during-the-covid-19-crisis/850150/10 "2020-03-24T14:06:39Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > Hospitals will get hurt- staffs will be significantly infected. But yes, they will be doing more business. I imagine hospitals also will be stuck with a bunch of unpaid bills, either from people who are out of work and have no insurance, or people who are insured, but have really crappy insurance. ---
**Author:** ![Bootis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@Bootis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootis)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-that-either-won-t-be-hurt-or-will-profit-during-the-covid-19-crisis/850150/11 "2020-03-24T14:21:16Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Probably not as many as you think, or as much. I disagree, true that in a recession most industries will suffer, but there’s a LOT of different kinds businesses out there, I’m sure there are thousands that will prosper as a result of current events. Some nefariously, some just as a lucky-for-them consequence, but the actual number is likely more than we can list here in an afternoon ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-that-either-won-t-be-hurt-or-will-profit-during-the-covid-19-crisis/850150/12 "2020-03-24T14:25:57Z")
My client buys and sells industrial manufacturing equipment. Stuff used in pharmaceutical, chemical & food plants. Almost everything in their business can be done without human contact, except maybe someone has to physically sign for the machines at some point. I have no idea if they’ll do well or do poorly in all this. On one hand, they touch industries that could be booming. On the other hand, with the global economy being off, I’m not sure how much companies want to invest in new (used) machinery. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-that-either-won-t-be-hurt-or-will-profit-during-the-covid-19-crisis/850150/13 "2020-03-24T14:28:14Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > Most routine things we are handling over the telephone, for which we do not get paid. Can you explain why not? I was chatting with a friend who is an MD in Europe. He has offered some form of telemed for a while now. He is doing phone consults almost exclusively right now and refers things that need seen to the ER. I’m in PA and my recent appointment for Medical Marijuana Re-certification was done over the phone. The receptionist called me at my appointment time, took my credit card information, then transferred me to the doctor’s phone (she was at home). We talked for five minutes and I was good to go! She was paid $125 for 5 minutes of her time. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-that-either-won-t-be-hurt-or-will-profit-during-the-covid-19-crisis/850150/14 "2020-03-24T14:48:19Z")
My son flies cargo, and his company is currently hauling a _lot_ of medical supplies. Unlike his passenger-hauling compatriots, business is way up, and cargo loads have increased about 20-30% per plane. He recently got another raise, they’re still hiring, and he expects to upgrade to left seat within a month or so. I have no idea if this will last, but the company is taking steps to lease additional airplanes as well. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-that-either-won-t-be-hurt-or-will-profit-during-the-covid-19-crisis/850150/15 "2020-03-24T15:05:42Z")
Most of the closures have not included alcohol and beer sales (or pot in the jurisdictions where it’s legal). Those people will make out ok as long as they can keep enough of their workforce. And even those producing hand sanitizer, I don’t think they’re shutting down all their booze operations. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-that-either-won-t-be-hurt-or-will-profit-during-the-covid-19-crisis/850150/16 "2020-03-24T15:09:18Z")
Toilet paper manufacturers aren’t going to benefit, if anything they may suffer in the long run. They’ll eventually overproduce too much, and it’ll have to go on sale to get rid of it all. Then they’ll have a multi month slump in sales. Yeah they’re doing well now, but they will pay with lower sales in the coming months ahead because toilet paper isn’t something where you actually use more than you need. Eventually people will start burning through their surplus rather than going out and buying more. I think delivery drivers will benefit. I’m guessing more deliveries and larger tips. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-that-either-won-t-be-hurt-or-will-profit-during-the-covid-19-crisis/850150/17 "2020-03-24T15:24:23Z")
Why will they eventually overproduce? They see what’s happening, probably in a lot better detail than you. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-that-either-won-t-be-hurt-or-will-profit-during-the-covid-19-crisis/850150/18 "2020-03-24T15:32:13Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > ANYONE involved in healthcare, from hospitals to suppliers to pharmacies I think is the most obvious one. My optometrist’s office is closed. My dentist’s office is closed. My allergy/immunology doctor is having to limit patients, and I ended up cancelling office visits. I suspect my dermatologist’s office is closed as well. > [@](#): > > News media Their primary source of revenue is advertising. If their customers (advertisers) are losing money and spending less on advertising, the media will lose money too. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-that-either-won-t-be-hurt-or-will-profit-during-the-covid-19-crisis/850150/19 "2020-03-24T15:37:20Z")
I’m not sure about online media streaming either. Sure, there are a lot more people with time to kill. But there are also a lot more people who become unemployed or furloughed, and desperately cutting down on unnecessary expenses. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-that-either-won-t-be-hurt-or-will-profit-during-the-covid-19-crisis/850150/20 "2020-03-24T15:44:01Z")
> [@VOW](#): > > Mortuaries > > Cemeteries > > Casket companies > > Crematoriums > ~VOW OK I know you somewhat joking but they are probably aren’t going to be doing as good business as you think. Mostly because the economic downturn means people aren’t going to be able to afford expensive caskets, funerals, and cemetary plots. The crematoriums and mortuaries maybe busy but they could end being stuck with people unable to pay. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-that-either-won-t-be-hurt-or-will-profit-during-the-covid-19-crisis/850150.md?page=2)