From bartering to begging for relief, struggling Americans confront April rent

Signs that read "suspend rent" and "fear causes racism" are pictured on a boarded-up business in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood as efforts continue to help slow the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Seattle, Washington, U.S. March 29, 2020. REUTERS/Jason Redmond

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York hair stylist Vanessa Karim has not worked since March 21, when the state closed all salons to slow the spread of the coronavirus. She only has enough cash on hand to cover half of her $1,400 April rent.

"It all feels like a bad dream," said Karim, 36, who planned to ask her landlord if he would be willing to accept a partial payment. "Every day I'm like, 'Is this really happening?' I'm trying not to stress out."