American Council On Exercise commends the U.S. Congress and state legislatures for the recent rapid exploration of legislative relief for small businesses and their employees who are either affected by the COVID-19 pandemic or are likely to be. We are encouraged by the bipartisan commitment to this cause.

At the same time, ACE urges policymakers, as relief legislation options are considered, to take great care to avoid leaving independent contractors and self-employed people behind. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are tens of millions of small businesses in the U.S. that are self-employed individuals. Many of them are exercise professionals and health coaches who are certified by ACE, hardworking people whose livelihoods are being severely disrupted as public health authorities urge or require their businesses to shutter and Americans to shelter in place. These self-employed individuals are as essential to local economies as other types of small businesses and must be considered as well-intentioned legislators hunt for needed relief solutions. ACE urges policymakers to explore the full array of mechanisms and vehicles available to state and federal governments to minimize the impact on all working adults, not just some. Those include business-interruption loans as well as expanded unemployment benefits and earned sick-leave.

The American Council on Exercise is a nonprofit organization with global reach that works to improve physical-activity levels by certifying exercise professionals and health coaches, publishing original research, convening experts on physical activity health, working directly with community groups, and advocating for policies to get people from all walks of life moving. The 90,000 exercise professionals and health coaches certified by ACE are among the most respected in the world of fitness, helping people embrace physical activity and adopt healthier lifestyles. For more information, call 800-825-3636 or visit http://www.ACEfitness.org. AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EXERCISE, ACE and ACE logos are Registered Trademarks of the American Council on Exercise.

By Jamie Hampton