PLEASE NOTE: Due to rapidly changing conditions and recommendations from health and government officials, some of these tips may turn to be not recommended. I’m doing my best to keep up, but please check with the CDC’s recommendations and your local government before enacting anything.

We’re seeing unprecedented action and reaction in the wake of the growing impact of the Coronavirus. Already many of the institutions around us are closing up, suspending operations until further notice. While I agree with the steps that are being taken in this manner (reduce the spread, reduce the impact), it could have devasting effects on parts of our economy and population.

Unfortunately, the hospitality, service, and travel/transportation industries will likely be hit the hardest. Isolating ourselves and reducing or eliminating travel may be the best way to beat the pandemic, but it means people won’t be visiting the baby places, restaurants, and communities reliant on visitors.

The airline and large hospitality companies will likely get assistance from the government, just as the banking and automotive industries did in the late 2000s. Our favorite restaurants, bars, shops, breweries, and local establishments will very likely not. This isn’t a political statement so much as an economic and community support statement: there are businesses that will not survive the social changes (no matter how temporary) without our help.

I would also be remiss if I didn’t add that there are people that you know today and/or live in proximity to you that will also need your help. The elderly, the health compromised, the lonely, the financially strapped, and more will be hit hardest, even if they aren’t infected. Again, no politics are in this post, nor am I being alarmist – we have to be thinking about these things and these people.

So, what do we need to do? I have some ideas and welcome the sharing of others.

We need to shop local now more than ever

We need to support our local businesses and communities through this crisis. As of writing this there aren’t any bans on local travel and leaving our homes unless advised not to for quarantining. I’m also not aware of any restrictions to eat food cooked outside of the home.

So, for as long as that’s safe and legal, please consider:

• Visiting your favorite eateries and cafes. You may not even have to stay; many restaurants are providing meals to go – even restaurants that didn’t offer that before. Ask if they will and hopefully they’ll be mindful of the circumstances and will provide that for you. If you’re still worried, ask what they are doing to maintain safety for you and the employees. I’ve seen many responsible statements and procedure changes that address the needs for cleanliness and reduction of transmission from cafes, restaurants, and more across the country – most are trying to minimize the impact as much as possible.

• Shopping at your local grocery stores. Even if it means a larger chain store, shopping there means their employees are getting paid. Just be mindful that there are others in the community too, you don’t need 52 gallons of apple juice.

• Continuing to go to your local shops and buying the goods you would as normal. Again, be mindful that there are others and don’t hoard, but think about all of the crafting, card writing, reorganizing, remodeling, and more that you might be able to get done with no sports or shows to watch (they’re probably going to continue to be canceled…).

• Buying gift cards or store credit when possible. Many local businesses may be forced to float by on reduced or no revenues for the next weeks or months. Gift cards give them some extra cash right now to help with that while allowing you to come back and purchase later. Be mindful that if you (and everyone else) redeem those immediately after the pandemic is deemed all clear, it could be as detrimental to the business as the lack of business we’re talking about now # consider waiting a few weeks to let them get back up to their normal operation.

• Buying from local businesses online. Chances are many offer digital commerce and/or will deliver locally. Even if they don’t, there’s a good chance they’ll figure out a way for you to buy their goods – over the phone, fax, email…something. Just remember to be smart and don’t offer sensitive information through unsecured methods and don’t do anything potentially harmful.

What if I’m a small business owner?

If you’re staring down the barrel of the hit you’re about to take in revenues, traffic, payroll(s) and not sure what to do, I get it. I don’t want to pretend to know all the things you have to worry about, but I may have some quick tips.

You might consider:

• Offering gift cards if you don’t already or offering slightly discounted gift cards if you do. These can be a great cash infusion for your business and can help make a revenue loss a little easier to manage. Keep in mind that they’re technically a liability that will come due at some point (when they’re redeemed), but still valuable when treated as such. $25 today for a $30 credit a few weeks from now could be worth it.

• Offering more goods ready to be carried out. This doesn’t have to be limited to food! Think about bundling entertainment packs for family night, or art supplies for small painting sessions, or a bundle of books that are in the same genre or similar authors. There are many types of items that could be pre-bundled for quick carryout transactions and I’m sure you can think of many yourself.

• Putting (more) goods and services for sale on your website. If you don’t have a website, get one quick – Squarespace, WordPress, Shopify, and about a thousand other services can spin one up for you for a reasonable price. Even if you start with gift cards, it could be worth it.

• Increasing your communication in social media and via email. Let your family know what’s going on and tell them what you’re doing to help them and your business during all this mess. If you’re offering new goods or services, let your fans know. If you’re creating a website, let them know. If you’re sending the entire staff on vacation to Argentina, let them know. If you don’t have a social media presence or an email service…start it all now!

• Paying your employees to do other projects to improve the business. If you can’t pay them, this gets tough and I’m sorry that that’s the scenario you’re in, truly. But, if you can and there isn’t enough customer traffic to keep them busy, consider repainting, cleaning out storage, redoing the service area to improve customer flow. Heck, one or more of them may even be able to build a website for you!

• Reducing or changing your open hours to the busy times or when your customers will need you open than most. This could help you reduce your operating costs and improve the cost/earnings ratio. Keep in mind that fewer hours man less pay for your employees unless you take care of them in some other way, but better to have reduced pay than no pay from closing entirely.

Don’t forget about your neighbors

As I said, there are people around you who could be at high risk during this crisis. They don’t have to be sick to be affected hard. Over one-third of Americans can’t afford a surprise bill of $400 – reductions in pay, hours, not to mention costs of childcare with school closings and more can quickly add up to a major financial and emotional strain.

Whatever you do, be responsible and prepare for your – and your family’s – safety. Then, consider:

• Checking in on your neighbors more frequently. You don’t have to do it in person if you’re scared of physical contact. Perhaps write a note with your email or phone number and ask them to call, text, email, or give a secret knock code for them to use if they’re in trouble.

• Offering to watch kids while parents are at work. This is now considered unsafe by the CDC. Please stay up to date with their recommendations HERE.
  
• Mowing the lawn for your neighbors.
  
• Creating a weekly neighborhood virtual meeting to keep tabs on everyone’s physical and mental health.

Please do what you can (and what is safe…) to help others around you. My hope is that we all help ensure our communities will still be here after the virus has passed. Please join me in that effort.

Please share these tips with your friends and local businesses. If you have any suggestions, I’d love to get your comments below and on our social media as well!

Be safe everyone!