There’s no doubt that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 – and certainly, COVID-19 in general – is of great concern. With thousands of Americans being diagnosed with – and dying from – the novel coronavirus every day, we must all exercise caution and act in the best interests of public health. Among other things, this entails limiting how much time we spend in public spaces to help curb the spread of the virus. Fortunately, this does not imply you must neglect your favourite local business. As you’ll discover, there are various ways to help a small business survive during this difficult time.
Order Takeout Instead Of Dine In
For many people, not having the ability to safely dine at their favourite restaurant is among the biggest inconveniences Omicron has brought – and COVID-19 as a whole. However, while eating in may be a risky venture these days, there’s quite a little bit of risk involved in ordering takeout. Sure, your humble abode may not have the unique ambiance of your chosen restaurant, but ordering on the spot will let you enjoy delicious restaurant food from the comfort and safety of home. Plus, with so many restaurants offering convenient contactless pick-up options, you do not have to worry about delivery fees. Mesa, AZ based foodies on the hunt for firstclass seafood should place an order at Angry Crab Shack on Guadalupe Rd.
Shop Remotely
Considering how contagious COVID-19 is, it is no wonder why so many of us are hesitant to go to the shop right now. With so many people now not wearing masks and refusing to practice social distancing, crowded shops aren’t the safest places to be during an active pandemic. However, this does not imply you cannot continue to provide patronage to your favourite local shop. For example, if one of your favourite stores allows customers to shop online and pick up their purchases via contactless pickup, why not take advantage of this?
Shopping remotely has also proven very convenient for people with disabilities. If this describes you, you might as well consider the benefits long term disability insurance.
Direct Donations to Businesses
If any of your favourite local businesses have had to temporarily close or reduce their hours because of the pandemic, there is a good chance they need help. So, provided one of these businesses accepts donations, consider giving what you can. Not only will the owner definitely appreciate your generosity, you may additionally play a direct role in keeping some of your favourite spots afloat.
Masks and Social Distancing
If you really care about your favourite local businesses, it makes sense that you do not want them to become centers of infection. You can help stop it by cover and social distancing anytime you visit these places – or other public spaces. Even if the business is not currently implementing mask or distancing rules, you’ll be doing the right thing and eventually contributing to improving public health.
Get Vaccinated and Upgraded
What’s good for people’s health is nice for your favourite business. So, assuming you do not suffer from a medical condition that forbids you from getting vaccinated, you should do so as early as possible. Apart from getting a full vaxx, you need to stay up to date reinforcement shot.
If you have not gotten vaccinated, please note that the CDC strongly recommends getting mRNA vaccines – particularly the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines – over Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. Adults whose initial vaccination series consisted of Moderna are eligible for a booster at least five months after the second shot. Similarly, people aged 12 and over whose initial vaccination series consisted of Pfizer-BioNTech are eligible to receive a booster at least five months after their second shot. Alternatively, adults who receive the Janssen Johnson & Johnson vaccine can receive a booster at least two months after their initial shot.
It’s not hard to see why small businesses have been hit so hard by the COVID-19 pandemic – and the rise of Omicron. Due to the highly contagious nature of the novel coronavirus, venturing into crowded public spaces is not the safest thing to do right now. Of course, this does not imply you cannot continue to show support for your favourite small business. Anyone trying to find an effective way to show some love to their favourite local establishment during this difficult time should consider the steps discussed above.
