Strange times right now, huh guys? I’ve watched this whole Coronavirus pandemic unfold since it started ramping up in China. To be honest, I wasn’t that worried about it at first. I don’t think a lot of us were. That’s not to say, my heart wasn’t going out to the people of China – it most definitely was and still is and it hurts for Italy right now, as well as the other people and countries this virus is effecting.
I didn’t really worry too much about it hitting home until a couple weeks ago when I read an article about how it wasn’t a question of “if” it will hit the United States, but a question of “when.”
And now it’s here. Schools in our area are shut down for the remainder of the month, churches are holding online services, government buildings are closed and everyone is being encouraged to practice social distancing and/or self quarantine. What are things like where you’re at?
We’re not panicking or freaking out over here. We are being cautious though, self-quarantining for the most part and only going out if its essential. I had bought a few extra groceries (not too mention beer and wine #priorities) when I’d went to the store over the past couple weeks just to be on the safe side. We’re set for awhile, although I’m sure my family will be over all varieties of frozen foods and/or pasta by the time we’re past all this.
As crazy as it may sound, this whole thing might be what heals some wounds in our nation – if we can all come together and do our part for the greater good, that is.
I think this is a time to learn from what has happened in Italy, take our cue, slow this thing down and stop the spread of COVID-19 to save some lives. It’s not about being democrat, republican, rich, poor, or anything else, but about coming together and each of us doing our part for the overall wellbeing and health of citizens in our nation.
If Grunt or I were to pick this thing up somewhere, we may weather it just fine, but there are others around us who may not. And those people are the ones we need to be thinking about right now guys – older adults, folks with weakened immune systems, people who have asthma, lung issues or other similar chronic medical conditions. This is our time to help them. You can help simply by staying home. Additionally though, you can also offer to pickup their meds, groceries, etc. so they don’t have to go out and risk infection.
Let’s not forget about other folks who are also going to take a hit from this virus from an economical standpoint – small businesses. This is one of those things where as a small business, you can’t ever really prepare for something like this and it can totally blindside you.
All that being said, I’ve came up with things we can all be doing at home with this extra time on our hands and a fews ways we can still support those small businesses during this time – things to do while banding together for the greater good. Please drop any additional ideas you have in the comments.
Things To Do at Home During COVID-19
Catch up. Personally, I have a whole lot of work I can catch up on – both business and personal. I’m going to try and get caught up with lots of business things that have been piling up on me. I’m also going to try and get all those pictures finally put into photo albums. Yes, I do still print out photographs.
Clean out. Clean out closets, cabinets, under beds, etc. Here’s a checklist to get you going.
Yard Sale Prep. After you’ve done all that cleaning out, prep for a yard sale after Coronavirus is a thing of the past. Here are my best yard sale tips.
Deep Clean. All those things you’ve been putting off cleaning? Do that now. For me, I’m going to take my own advice I gave my aunt and work on restoring some old wood furniture and brass pulls around here.
Plan your next home project. This is another one I’m hoping to tackle. I’m going to use my free printable project planner and create a moodboard for a few room refreshes around here. Here’s my tutorial for how to make a moodboard.
Start a garden. It’s the perfect time to start your own cut flower garden! That link will show you my beginner’s guide for getting started – you can order your seeds online and never leave the house!
Read. There’s no better way to escape than with a good book. Here’s a list of my most recent favorites.
Start a new series. If you’re not a reader, start a new series on Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime. You could also rewatch an old one. A few of our personal favorites off the top of my head are The Good Wife, Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, Ally McBeal, Grace and Frankie, and A.J. and the Queen. I’ve also just started The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and it’s everything I need right now. Hit me up with a few of your favorites in the comments!
Walk. The outside is not off-limits, it’s just being in close contact with others that is! Take a walk, go for a hike, have lunch outside.
Take advantage of this time with your family. Best for last right here. 🙂 Use this time to cuddle up and watch a movie with your kids. Bake chocolate chip cookies. Work a puzzle. Read a book together. Play dress up. Have a spa day. Let your kid do your makeup. Why not use this time to make some pretty great memories?
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How You Can Support Small Businesses During This Time
Buy a gift card. Whether it’s to a locally owned shop, restaurant or some other business, buy a gift card from them. If they don’t offer this online, call them up. When all this is over, you can treat yourself to a little something or have an extra gift on hand.
Don’t cancel your travel plans, just postpone. If you’ve worked with a travel agent who runs their own business or lives off commissions from vacations they’ve booked, don’t totally cancel your plans, just see about postponing them. This could help that travel agent to keep from losing their commission.
Shop online or via social media. Peruse your local small businesses website or social media channels. Find something you like, call them up and ask to purchase it over the phone. I’m sure they will hold it for you until this mess blows over.
Share small businesses social media posts. This is something easy you can do that won’t cost a dime. Simply share posts from small businesses on your own personal Facebook or Instagram account. Pin images to Pinterest from their site. This helps get new eyes on that business, hopefully helping them grow and maybe even make a sale.
And guys, I’m just going to throw this in here too. All us bloggers, we’re small businesses too. We depend on ad revenue and affiliate sales to support our families. While we aren’t brick and mortar stores that depend solely on tangible item sales, I’m worried the economic fallout from all this will affect people’s habits online, which is understandable. So when you do buy something online from say Amazon, Target, Etsy, Home Depot or another large retailer, using one of our affiliate links for your purchase won’t cost you anything more at all, but it will earn us a small commission.
Bottom line: We’re all in this together. Let’s support each other during this uneasy time in our nation. All love, friends. All love.
In an effort to keep things relatively normal, I will be back to “regular” blog posts later this week. Just needed to take a minute today and say some things that were on my mind. ❤️
Betty says
This is great Jenna. I love your illustrations and you can thank the circus for the flower. I felt as if she was handing it to me. I worry about our health care workers who work 12 hour shifts in ED on a normal day but I know they are working even more hours now. Thank you again for taking time to write this post.
Jenna says
I’m glad you felt that way because that’s exactly why I put that picture of her with the flower in there. ❤️ I worry about them as well – not only are they risking their health, but they are probably exhausting themselves. Stay healthy, friend.
Karen says
THANKS JENNA!!!! Great suggestions……PEACE!
Jenna says
You too, Karen!
Susan the Farm Quilter says
Here all businesses that aren’t “essential” have been ordered closed for the remainder of the month, maybe more. Restaurants can stay open if they do deliveries or have curb-side pick up. Place an order online or on the phone to have food delivered (it is probably the waitresses who will be delivering…they need a pay check too!) or go pick it up. Help to keep them in business. It would be lovely if someone young would volunteer to pick up stuff at the store for those of us who are in “the danger zone” due to age and/or medical problems! I started buying extra food when I saw what was going on in China, just in case, and I’m so glad I did! I forgot the hand sanitizer though!! None of that to be had anywhere. Be kind. Don’t spread rumors. Be positive. Spread kindness. Help your neighbors. Bottom line…we are all in this together and how well we come through this depends on each and every person.
Jenna says
That seems to be the way we are headed too, Susan. Many restaurants are only offering curbside or pickup. I’m so sorry you don’t have someone to run to the store for you. Please be safe! Some of the area stores around here are doing special hours for those more at-risk people and having them be the first ones only in the store during that first hour of opening. Hopefully, some in your area will start that as well. Stay healthy, friend!
Julie says
Hey Jenna with you totally! If you’re of this thinking, God works in mysterious ways, and just could be what this country needs in working together instead of divide. I’m also of the mindset in taking advantage of this time in assessing what really needs to be done around the house and prepping for a garage sale came to mind! One day at a time and remember friends ‘this too shall pass.’ Peace……….
Jenna says
So true, Julie! That’s been in the back of my head during all this – there has to be a reason and it could be to bring us all together. Stay healthy!
Christine McTague says
Well said.
Christine McTague says
Happy St.Patricks Day
Jenna says
You too, Christine!
Lynn says
Jenna, thank you so much for this post. You certainly have thought of many things I did not. I would like to add one thing……a very thoughtful person in our neighborhood sent out an email to everyone offering grocery and pharmacy runs for older residents and those in the high risk category so they can avoid contact with others. Stay healthy!
Jenna says
That is wonderful, Lynn – so glad someone is doing that in your neighborhood! I think this is when we all have to pitch in and look out for one another!
Sharon H says
This HAS to be one of your very best posts, in my humble opinion!
I love your heart and attitude, Jenna. Keep that baby of yours safe. She
Just gets more adorable all the time! I live in SE Kansas on the SW Missouri
border, and they closed many of the local schools; Dollar Stores have set aside
the first hour of business for people over 60 to shop. Restaurants are closed for public
dining but drive thru, curbside and delivery is ok.Most churches are live streaming. Some people still seem to have common sense while a few are obviously lacking. I am still a believer that God is in control and there is purpose in this pandemic. Not only do we need to come together as a people and a Nation, but we need to come back to Him. I’m off my soapbox, now. Love to you and prayers for health and safety.
Jenna says
Hope you are staying safe and healthy as well, Sharon! We are still hunkered down here and have no plans of changing course until it seems safe to do so. Our schools are now closed until the end of April. Honestly, I don’t think they will be going back at all this school year. I think this whole thing is going to change us all. We’re going to learn exactly what we really NEED to live, rather than what we want to live. And that might not be a bad thing. 🙂