It’s no secret that the world has gone into meltdown over the last few weeks with the recent outbreak of Covid-19, and whilst the first priority should always be the health and safety of ourselves and others, we should also make sure we are helping out the local businesses who rely on our support during this tumultuous time.
Here are a few simple things everyone can do to help ensure that your favourite coffee shops survive, or your favourite fruit shops get to keep their doors open and everyone gets to stay as healthy as possible:
- Take advantage of any of your favourite local haunts that do takeout or delivery, whether it’s your favourite pizza joint or swinging past your coffee shop to get a takeaway coffee early in the morning.
- Try to pay with your debit or credit card rather than cash and try to limit the contact you have with the folks who work at your locals.
- Wash your hands!! And take advantage of any local businesses who are offering free hand sanitizers on entry or as you pay.
- When all the big supermarkets are completely out of rice, pasta, lentils or whatever it is your needing, don’t despair, try your local wholefood store or greengrocer to stock up on essentials instead of focusing on the big guys.
- Try to shop online. If you’re going to do any retail therapy, try to limit the in-person contact you have by taking advantage of shopping on the world wide web. If possible though, stick to those local online businesses.
- If you are feeling under the weather, it’s best to stay home. Yes, even if your swamped at work and even if you’re healthy and ‘not worried about it’, stay at home and don’t risk the health and safety of others who may be more of a risk for contracting the disease.
- Limit your physical contact, if you see an old flame in the street, try to refrain from a hug or a handshake, get creative with it. Limit your spread of germs (yes even if you’re healthy).
- Finally, try not to panic. Support and buy local wherever you can, try to limit social interaction by social distancing and try to take the best care of yourself and your health during this time.
This is the time for us as a community to stick together.
Written by Mackenzie Pennycook
Image via Kilgour St Grocer