HOLIDAY SEASON WITH COVID 19

Three W’s of COVID-19

Wear a face covering

Wash your hands

Watch your distance

Holiday Season Approaching

COVID-19 cases are on track to hit 2,000 by the holiday’s. Those are the numbers if everyone does what they are supposed to do and stay social distanced and wear face coverings. The other set of numbers point to a very harsh number, which is 2,700 by the holidays. Oregon is now averaging 1,300 cases per day. We will see in the upcoming weeks how much protocol people are following from the shut downs that occurred on November 18th. If the numbers are still inclining and get to that point come Christmas time then having a full out shut down like in March might have to be in conversation.

 

https://www.oregonlive.com/coronavirus/2020/12/oregon-could-hit-2000-to-2700-daily-covid-19-cases-by-christmas-eve-new-modeling-shows.html

 

 

 Holiday Ideas and Tips:

1) Celebrate Outside- even though it’s not ideal to visit and have fun outdoors in the winter it is alot safer than doing it inside. Try and do it in moderation with no more than ten people.

 

2) Drive if Possible- even though it may be a long distance traveling on ground is still the smart safety thing to do. Traveling through airports and surrounding yourself with other travelers is not the safest. 

 

3) Get covid test before visiting/traveling- not only does this protect yourself, but you don’t want to harm any friends and family by bringing the virus towards them. Even with a negative test be cautious with all safety protocols. 

 

4) Virtual Gatherings- be creative and figure out different activities you can do. You can play games, just have conversations, tell stories, etc. 

 

5) Gift Cards- this year is the year that gift cards should be used more than anything for gift ideas. Some examples can include: weekend getaways, amusement park gift cards, sporting tickets, restaurant gift cards. 

 

6) Creative Ideas with immediate family- this year is a great opportunity for immediate families to spend more time with each other and chance to get creative. Instead of always rushing trying to get from house to house and place to place for holiday’s just slow down and spend it all at home. Play a game that you haven’t played in awhile, have meaningful conversations, watch movies, etc.

 

7) Send a surprise meal to someone- without them expecting it send some food through a food delivery service to someone you are close with.

ARTICLES TO CHECK OUT.......

Considerations for small gatherings of Family and Friends

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html

Christmas Activities for kids

https://www.minted.com/lp/christmas-activities

43 Activities to do during the holidays

https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2020-10-30/fun-holiday-activities-enjoy-covid-19

COVID-19 Shutting Us Down

Portland just like everywhere in America is being hit hard with COVID-19 and what it has done to local businesses. It has brought extreme tension and sadness on what is happening to our local economy. Not only are the business owners suffering, but so are the employees that make a living at the shutdown businesses. This latest shutdown by Governor Brown, which started on November 18 is very scary in terms if businesses will be able to get back up on their feet again.

Financial Assistance to Businesses

Governor Kate Brown will be allocating $55 million in assistance to businesses that are being affected by  COVID-19. The money will come from the federal CARES Act fund. This is supposed to be the start of potential more money down the road to help sustain the economy until the virus gets contained. The money will be handled and awarded to the counties based on population. Each county will have to figure out how they want the funds distributed and managing the applications. The hospitality industry and the businesses from black, native American and other disadvantaged communities will be prioritized. 

 

https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2020/11/oregon-gov-kate-brown-pledges-55-million-in-state-aid-for-businesses-hurt-by-covid-19.html

 

 

Oregon Business Groups Urging Kate Brown of shutdown

Oregon’s Coronavirus Recovery Business Coalition urged Kate Brown to consider alternatives in regards to her shutdown of businesses. Sandra McDonough, President and CEO of Oregon Business & Industry said that this shut down will be a lot more damaging than the previous one. This shut down is a little bit more mysterious than the last one right now for workers and business owners because we had the federal unemployment support and small business assistance that was in play. The Business Coalition brought to the table some ideas, but the governor was not buying into that course of action.

 

https://www.wweek.com/news/business/2020/11/13/oregon-business-groups-urged-gov-kate-brown-not-to-implement-statewide-freeze-amid-covid-19-spike/

 

 

Ways to Help Small Businesses

1)Gift Cards- Purchasing gift cards would generate instant cash flow to the suffering businesses. It’s a Win-Win-Win though for all three groups involved though. The business is obviously benefiting because they are bringing in money. The purchaser is benefiting because they are going to be providing a good to the person of their choosing. The receiver of the gift card will obviously be benefiting because they will be able to spend money at that business whenever they want.

 

2)Shopping Local- Instead of shopping at all the chain restaurants or grocery stores do a good service and try to help out the local businesses instead. It is imperative during these times we are going through that we stick together and support each other as much as we possibly can.

 

3) Ordering Online- The easiest way in today’s world is to purchase everything and have it delivered by Amazon. Instead of doing everything the easiest and most convenient way try and order necessary items through local and brick and motor stores and shops. That could make the biggest difference towards them being able to fight through these times.

 

4) Pick-up from Restaurants- if some of your local restaurants don’t do delivery simply see if you can pick it up from them. Even though everything is most convenient through all of the food delivery services try and support your local restaurants when they need it the most.