To the Editor:
At a time when so much seems up in the air, and we find ourselves concerned about family, friends and neighbors, it is only natural to think of ways to support each other and our community. One of the things that makes Manchester so special is our local businesses who now are confronted with a loss of revenue for weeks or months. How can we support those who provide services for us, at a time when we need to distance ourselves socially?
When thinking about this, two ideas came to mind which I encourage others to think about. First, I will be setting up a system for two local businesses I frequent; our local barbershop and coffee shop. These are places I visit on a regular basis and will experience major challenges due to the coronavirus. While national businesses are able to make adjustments, I also want to know that our local business owners and friends will be supported and remain viable as we exit this crisis on the other side. I am going to commit to sending funding to these businesses as regularly as I currently visit them. Whether that’s for a haircut every month or six weeks, or my daily or weekly cup of coffee and pastry.
The second thought related to a friend calling to ask if I want to take a ride to the store with him. As I reminded him about social distancing, I suggested, that if he wanted to take my list and pick up some things at the grocery store, I would be happy to get anything he wanted from the hardware store where I was headed. We could drop off each other’s items and help reduce the number of people crowding stores. In our neighborhood, we have also created a shared list with updated email, phone numbers and designated external contacts.
These are just a few thoughts, and I encourage others to participate and think of other ways we can continue to support each other as a community. I hope to provide some updates next week as I put more actions to these words.
Take good care.
Steve Hamilton
Manchester
