Signal Summer 2020 Newsletter

www.alliancecom.net 7 How to Support Small Local Businesses During This Crisis Measures to stay at home and practice social distancing in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 have dramatically changed our shopping and dining habits. This presents major challenges to our local business community, particularly to small retail stores, restaurants, and service businesses. While you may not be able to visit these establishments as you normally would due to temporary closures, you can continue to support them. Here are a few suggestions: • Buy gift cards for future use. This is a great way to support a small business now, and many of these businesses are offering the option to purchase gift cards online. • Shop online from local businesses. If your favorite local gift shop or bookstore offers online shopping, think about buying birthday and holiday gifts early. (Even if they haven’t offered online shopping before, check again. They may be offering it now.) • Choose local grocery stores and pharmacies over big-box chains when possible. If you can safely shop in person, please make your trips for essentials to small businesses and help them stay afloat. • Order takeout or delivery. This helps local restaurants continue to operate while you maintain social distancing. If you’re able, tip the delivery person generously to help these struggling workers. • Schedule a service for later in the year. Coronavirus has created the ultimate cancel cul- ture. If possible, schedule work with a housepainter, landscaper, or other contractor for several months down the road. Knowing that work is coming their way can help allevi- ate some of their anxiety. • Don’t forget about nonprofits. You can double your community assistance by buying a gift card from a local shop and donating it to a nonprofit. For example, you could buy a gift card from a local pet supply store and donate it to an animal shelter. Now is also a great time to sign up for that membership in your local nonprofit arts association or theater series. Small businesses need our support now more than ever to survive this crisis. Please do what you can to help. Beware of Scammers Trying to Exploit COVID-19 Fears Scammers use every opportunity to try and trick you out of money or personal information, and the COVID-19 pandemic is a case in point. The U.S. Attorney General issued a warn- ing about these coronavirus scams:  • Individuals and businesses are advertising and selling fake cures and vaccines for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud. • Phishing emails are being sent from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. • Malicious websites and apps appear to share coronavirus-related informa- tion in order to gain access to your devices and lock them until payment is received. • Scammers are seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non- existent charitable organizations. Other reported scams related to COVID-19 include fake e-commerce sites claiming to sell supplies in high demand such as hand sanitizer, toilet paper, and surgical masks. Scammers will keep your money but never pro- vide the merchandise.  Alliance urges you to watch out for these types of scams, and rely only on reputable sources for the products and information you need.