We have all just experienced our first week of “social distancing” and let’s just say it’s not my favorite way to spend time. 

On the bright side, I’m saving a lot of money on not dining out, but then I realized that there must be many people who are in the same boat.

Which got me to thinking…there are so many eateries that must be missing many of their regular patrons.  Along with the servers, bartenders, and valet personnel who are all missing the income of the generous gratuity.  Sometimes, when I take the attractive Mrs. Calvert out for dinner, I buy her flowers; how’s your local florist doing during this time?

So, I had some ideas; not everyone’s income is being affected by “working from home” or being quarantined by the virus.  I’m not saying that you should not be saving for a virus “rainy day”, however I think that maybe we can think of those people who are really being impacted by what’s going on. So here are some ideas:

1. Contacting my favorite restaurant and seeing if they have some kind of “Go Fund Me” style page that will allow us to donate some of the money that we normally spend going out and donate to the service staff and help them get through this difficult time.

2. Create a “date night” with flowers (delivered and left on the doorstep), take out (pre-ordered and picked up) and watching Netflix in sweats on your comfy couch.

3. You’re working from home, so take your clothes into the dry cleaners, you’re not going to need them for a while anyway!

4. The holidays are coming up! Some holiday, but how about buying gift cards? Not only for family and friends but for yourself! Imagine the look of surprise on the faces of that special recipient when they get a gift card letting them how happy you are that they didn’t catch the virus! This is a good way to put some needed cash in the pocket of a business and you can use the card at a later date.

These are not going to solve all the issues for our local businesses, but they certainly can’t hurt. It’s important that we support as many of Downey’s small businesses as we can. It is a priority to take care of your family, friends and yourself.  However, let’s give a thought to that local business that is always there for us when we need their services.  

The Chamber is working from home, but we are still here to help in anyway we can.  Especially those seniors that need assistance getting food and their medication. We will get through this, that’s why Downey is the best!

Michael Calvert is executive director of the Downey Chamber of Commerce.