Covid 19 coronavirus: Let's work together Taranaki as we battle the virus

Editor Ilona Hanne says we can all help support each other right now.

Together Taranaki - we can beat this virus.

Together, we can not only stamp out its insidious spread, by following the self isolation rules and staying in our bubbles, but we can also try and slow its economic impact on our community.
I am no Pollyanna. I don't for a minute believe our businesses will come out of this unscathed, but I do believe we can work together and support each other as much as possible right now.

Right across Taranaki, businesses are suffering. Some because they aren't deemed essential and so have had to close their doors to customers and to any form of income.

Others are considered essential and so are still open, but that too comes with problems. Having to adapt to the new rules, changing hours, keeping staff safe and protected and in many cases, having to cope with less staff than usual because some aren't able to work because of health or age.

So what can we do?

In the case of businesses still open - the answer is simple. Support them. Not just with your dollars, but also bearing in mind that governmental directive of "be kind".

Now is not the time to attack your local supermarket online because you don't like the limits they have put on purchases. Nor is it the time to question what has been deemed as an essential business - just because you don't see a brewery or liquor outlet as being essential, doesn't mean you should begrudge them the opportunity to survive as much as they can in these tough times.

At the risk of sounding like my mother, if you can't say something nice.....

And actually, why not say something nice? When you are grabbing your essentials at the local supermarket or putting petrol in your car, remember to smile and thank the staff serving you. They are just as worried about the future in this Covid-19 ridden world as you are, and are probably quite fed up with being criticised as they simply try to do their job.

In the case of a business which can't be open right now, there are still ways to show your support, financially as well as verbally.

If you are financially able to, consider messaging your hairdresser or beautician and asking if you can transfer some money as a credit to your next booking. That helps them with cashflow now, and when this lockdown is finally over and you are relaxing in the chair enjoying a shampoo, how much more pleasant it will be knowing you have already paid half the bill!

You can do the same with your local cafe, favourite takeaway place, the list is endless. Have a look at NZME's GrabOne site - there you can purchase 'Grab Now, Go Later' deals - meaning you can support a business now, and reap the benefits of the deal later, post lockdown.

Businesses themselves have a role to play, and I am appealing to all - please support the community that supports you. Buy local where you can, negotiate now for deals post lockdown.

Advertise - on radio and (ahem) in print as well as online, let your customers know what you are doing during this unsettling period and ask for their support.

And don't forget your local council. Right now, their staff are working hard to keep their communities safe, while also meeting their obligations to keep some services such as rubbish collection, water and roading, still running. Support them by following the rules given - if they say no playgrounds are open, then don't take your kids to the local swings!

It is by working together, and supporting each other, that we can get through this as well as possible.

Together Taranaki we can help our businesses and our people cope in these unsettling times.

• Covid19.govt.nz: The Government's official Covid-19 advisory website