If you’re like us, one of the many scary things about the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe is the sense of powerlessness it imposes. Feeling powerless is normal enough in the face of something so massive in scale and unprecedented in our lifetimes. Still, that doesn’t make the feeling much easier to deal with.
But a lack of individual control over the crisis doesn’t mean we can’t take individual actions to help our fellow human beings. Even while maintaining social distancing measures, small actions can help others while restoring some of your own sense of agency.
One easy way to help is to support small businesses. Below are 9 relatively simple things many of us can do to help out. Of course, what you can or can’t do depends on your own economic situation.
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Gift cards: Buy, buy, buy!
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Tip generously and still pay workers if you can
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Do Delivery
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Do Delivery, Part II
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Take a Class
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Follow Your Favorite Small Business on Social
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Shop Local, Shop Online
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Donate to food banks & other nonprofits
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Prioritize empathy
Last and certainly not least, empathy and compassion are important in the best of times, but they are crucial right now. If you’re out at a store, restaurant or pharmacy, do people seem a bit unfocused or crabby? Consider the emotional and psychological – not to mention physical – toll this global pandemic might be taking on them and their loved ones.
We think we’d all do well to treat one another with just a little more care these days.