I grew up with the advice of my mother, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
What is going on in the world right now has everyone scared, confused, unsure, and many other emotions. There is a lot of negativity being presented everywhere you look. But even with all of the doom and gloom, there are still nice things going on. Instead of thinking about the bad, let’s focus on the “nice”.
Companies like Uber Eats and GrubHub are waiving certain fees during this time to help businesses in the food industries being affected by “social distancing”. In some cases, restaurants are unable to allow on location dining and are only able to stay open with pick up or delivery. Try to utilize these services, especially for your local restaurants. Some delivery companies are setting up funds to help their drivers continue to have an income.
Sports, concerts and events are being cancelled or postponed. Many of the employees who work at these arenas and venues are hourly employees. Professional sports teams and players are donating money to help these employees have an income. Celebrities are donating money to food banks in communities to help keep food stocked for people who rely on these services.
Large companies like Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, Twitter and Microsoft are paying hourly employees even if they are out due to illness. Several companies are closed but still paying employees. Comcast/T-Mobile is upgrading their subscribers to unlimited date for 60 days. U-Haul is giving 30 days of free self-storage for college students.
Business Insider reports that Airbnb is issuing full refunds and waiving cancellation fees. Airlines are allowing changes to flights without penalty charges and extending rewards into 2021. Delta Airlines is enabling any ticket expiring in March or April to be extended to December 31, 2020.
Many casinos have made the decision for the safety of patrons as well as their employees to temporarily shut down. Casinos that are run by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the Cherokee Nation will still be paying employees during this time.
Most of what we are being told to do through this period of uncertainty is simple, common sense things we should all be doing anyway.
- Wash your hands. If soap is not available, use hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol.
- Cover your mouth when you cough. Cough into the crook of your elbow to keep germs from your hands.
- If you are sick, stay home. Many companies are requesting people work from home when possible.
- Don’t touch your face-eyes, nose, mouth.
- Be a good neighbor. Make sure your elderly neighbors have supplies.
- Support small and local businesses whenever you can.
The CDC’s website has more suggestions-https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
And while some of us are able to work from home, please remember the people who cannot. Our police, fire, EMT’s, doctors and nurses are putting themselves at risk daily to make sure that rest of us are treated and safe. They are working long, non-stop hours. They expose themselves to a number of things. Please be aware of the stresses they face. In times like these, they have to be super humans, putting themselves (and possibly their families) at risk. Their worries are the same as ours only multiplied to include stranger’s well-being.
Let’s all try to be nice during this time. Our social feeds are full of negative posts already. Let’s try to find the good that we can do. As Zig Ziglar said, “Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will”. We aren’t supposed to hug or shake hands. We are supposed to stay 6-10 feet from each other. But a smile can go along way! Smiles can be contagious but in a good way.