Hi @Gail-and-Beth0 , I agree, extenuating circumstances isn't new, just millions a week are and they wont end when covid goes away. In fact, they might be more prevalent now that people know its in there 24/7/365 the minute they book. We've always been most flexible so cancellations up to 24 hours before arrival have never paid us and always paid Airbnb so its the en mass thing that is new to us. To be fair, we have benefited greatly from being most flexible, we get and host many stays that we may not have gotten otherwise.
BTW, we are by the nature of being paid hosts of properties we alone represent commercial and are just as legit a business as Marriott with even more extensive choices to choose from as a " larger hosting community". We are and you should be proud of accomplishments as small business leaders in our own communities and to be sure, when Bearpath Lodging or your STR does good, we don't share that wealth after the fact with Airbnb or anyone except The IRS.
When all is said and done, Airbnb is really just a modern day travel agent with benefits that go far beyond collecting fees for us from guests and what they do with their fees isnt anything we can have any concern over. They aren't partners, we aren't franchisee's, we're parasitic in nature as clients to each other but that's really where their responsibilities end and ours begin. Having higher expectations with this type of relationship may not be healthy for those that can't afford the risks that follow the possible great rewards. I wish it were not so but it is. Stay well, JR