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Staying connected in a socially disconnected world
McCOOK, Neb. — Social distancing can be tough on everyone, but especially for small businesses and groups that rely on it exclusively.
State and federal guidelines are recommending that people limit social contact to contain the spread of COVID-19. More than half of Nebraska’s 93 counties, or 56, have directed health measures mandated by Gov. Pete Ricketts that requires restaurants and bars to close their dining areas and offer only takeout or delivery and allows for legal enforcement on social gatherings of more than 10 people in one area.
Counties in Southwest Nebraska have no confirmed case of the virus — yet — and so are not under a directed health measure. But people in the area are still taking the limited social contact seriously and small businesses are feeling the impact.
Fiona Berry, owner of the Beauty Zone hair salon in McCook, said her walk-in traffic has drastically reduced.
“We’re still taking appointments, but people think we’re not open,” Berry said. Her salon, as well as several others in McCook, are still open and scheduling appointments, at least for the time being.
Berry said she and her staff are practicing all the recommended precautions, like frequently wiping down chairs, counters and utensils during the course of the day. Staff wash their hands repeatedly and customers, upon entering the salon, are asked to wash their hands as well. Chairs are spaced farther apart and conversation is limited to the task at hand to keep visits short. But Berry feels being able to get a haircut or color is vital during times like this.
“It makes a person feel better. When you’re home all the time and feeling down, it’s the little things that make you feel better,” she said.
How much longer her salon and others can stay open is not certain. Anna Powell, who with her husband, Tanner, bought Aphrodite Hair Design and Uncle Amos’ Crop Shop a year ago this week, said she’s taking it “day by day.”
“Actually, two weeks ago, I wouldn’t have thought we’d still be open like we are today,” she said.
Still, the inevitable is coming. “It’s hard to think that we’ll have to shut down in our first year, but we’re grateful we’re still open now,” she said. Her revenue has dropped by half and that’s been hard for everyone, including her stylists, Powell said, who work on commission.
Powell said she keeps in contact with the state board on a weekly basis to make sure all requirements are being met and they can remain open. In addition to the daily sanitizing, her work stations are already six feet apart and they are scheduling no more than four people at a time. “But I really expect to get a letter soon saying we have to close,” she said.
At Hillcrest Nursing Home, “We’ve had to think a little differently,” said Tamra Neel, activities director. What used to be 80 to 90 activities per month had to be re-tooled to keep the 75 residents engaged and connected with the community and each other, yet still keep physically apart.
Stringent precautions are already in place, with no outside visitors. Family members, by scheduled appointments, can visit only behind a glass door in a certain area at the facility and talk on cell phones. To keep connections going, a pen pal program has been started with Central Elementary kids, family members are communicating more by email and Skype and residents take turns taking care of “traveling plants” that make their way from room to room. An in-house newspaper, started by the activities department, announces a bingo letter each day, along with other information and a Facebook page keeps the community in the loop about several events, including “What to Wear Wednesday.” Neel said that’s been popular not only at the facility but also with several local businesses who are joining in by wearing a certain color announced each week on the Facebook page.
In addition to businesses and healthcare industries impacted by the social distancing, there are groups that depend on face-to-face contact for their survival. Recovery groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, that for decades emphasized the importance of attending meetings, have had to close their doors and meet electronically.
Locally, some meetings have been curtailed or shut down and plans are in the works to set up Zoom meetings. Those have proven to be popular, said one local member, who said a recent speaker meeting in Lincoln, Neb., drew 50 participants and another meeting in California was capped at 1,000 participants.
Going to meetings is especially valuable during stressful times such as now, the member said. “The group setting, there’s just something about it.” Because meetings foster accountability and friendship, “I’d hate to be a newcomer and not have a meeting to go to.”
Keeping in contact, whether by telephone calls or electronically, is more important than ever. Social distancing “can be a lonely and depressing time,” said another local member. “We have to stay safe yet we have to stay connected, too.”
“This, too, shall pass,” added another long-time AA member.