US Surgeon General Jerome Adams warned public officials on Sunday that this week would be the “hardest and saddest for most Americans’ lives.” With COVID-19 cases continuing to climb in the US, it has never been more uncertain on what the future will hold. In response, Adams, along with many other officials, have stated that we must continue to do our part. But what exactly does that mean? While we continue take proper precautions to help prevent further casualties, we need to understand that these efforts should not be solely for ourselves, but also for our neighbors. Everyone is suffering from this pandemic in different ways and we should all understand, now more than ever, the importance of uniting as nation. In this series, Spathe Systems will be delving into different opportunities that YOU, as a respectful civilian, can participate in to show your contribution during these trying times. To start off, we will be looking at the most effective ways to show support for one of the hardest hit demographics: local businesses owners and their employees.

With the current uncertainty of our economic climate, many small businesses have found it the hardest to stay afloat. Most restaurants have turned to takeout as a last resort while bars, gyms, and other small businesses have had no choice but to temporarily close shop. While it might not be possible to physically lend a hand, there are still plenty of ways to show your support all while staying safe indoors.

1. Order Takeout From a Local Restaurant Rather Than a Chain
One of the easiest ways to show support for some of these local restaurants is to order takeout from them rather than a bigger corporation. As good as Chilis and Olive Garden may sound, try to spice things up a little and order from your local Chinese kitchen instead.

 

 

 

2. Visit Livestreams for Different Gyms in Your Area

This is a great activity to do from the comfort of your own home that not only supports our gym workers, but also puts a little bit of exercise into your daily routine. Check out this list of the best gyms offering virtual workouts and get your crunch on.

 

 

 

3. Buy Giftcards

If you find yourself to be more of a ‘Dine In’ customer rather than takeout, go and buy some gift cards to your favorite places and make a note to eat there once things are a little safer outside. These purchases can go a long way with companies who are struggling to generate revenue and it’s a great way to show that you care.

 

 

 

4. Donate to a Small Business Relief Fund

One of the easiest ways to show your support is by providing a donation and there are tons of great options out there. GoFundMe has personally setup a donation pool specifically for small businesses and it has almost reached it’s goal of $2.5 MILLION! Click here to put in your own donation. Additionally, the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation has set up a relief fund that donates 50% of all earnings to individual restaurant workers, 25% to non profit organizations serving workers in crisis, and 25% in zero-interest loans to help workers get back on their feet.

 

 

 

5. Tipping Your Service Worker Has Never Been More Important

 

When all this is set in stone, it will be the employees who get hit the hardest. There is a big portion of the service industry who pay for rent and food solely by taking extra shifts and tips that aren’t there anymore. It is important more now than ever to show support for these workers. You might be asking yourself “How and who can I choose to donate to? Well, Service Industry Tips provides a perfect solution by allowing you to donate to a random service worker in the state/city of your choosing. Click here to get started!

 

conclusion

Again, we understand that everyone might be suffering from COVID-19 in different ways, but there are many things that we can do as individuals, families, and groups to respond in a positive manner to make a difference. We at Spathe Systems hope that with this list, you may find it a little easier to offer a helping hand where it is needed. Our nation is currently facing its first real pandemic in over 100 years. This is history and it is up to you to determine how much you choose to contribute to it.