Coronavirus pandemic effecting local businesses: How you can help

Just in the last week, nationally we’ve seen cancellations of sporting events, concerts, and political rallies.

Not to mention, the Federal Reserve announcing a zero percent interest rate this weekend.

- just in the last week,- nationally we've seen - cancellations of- sporting events, concerts, and- even political rallies.

- not to mention, the federal - reserve announcing a- zero percent interest rate this- weekend.- all this affecting our nations- economy.- news 25's lindsey goodwin tells- us how its affecting our- coastal economy, and what the - community can - do to help.

- - lindsey: "while the coronavirus might not - affect many of us directly, - we've already seen its indirect- effects here on the - coast as events continue to - cancel, kids out of school, - parents working from- home.

All this, also taking a - toll on local businesses.

- officials and business owners - are urging residnts to shop - local."

Nats inside coffee shop - lisa ryan, owner of the coffee- box: "since we've seen some cases in- mississippi, we have slowed dow- just a little bit.

We're down - right now about 71% - so it's scary."

Lisa ryan owns the coffee box i- long beach, your one stop shop- for a quick drive thru breakfas- and morning coffee.

- nats- but now coffee isn't the only - thing brewing in the box...as - lisa- and her employees take extra- precautions to- - - - keep the business running, like- social- distancing.

- lisa: "but how do we do that?

The bills are not going to stop- we still have to have - - - - payroll, i have employees who - are depending on their income,- on their tips,- so the best way we can do that- is try to come up with a plan - that works for our- business, trying to do order- online, contact- less if there- is an outbreak on the coast - - - - itself.

- lisa also says as grocery store- run out of products, her- - - - business is left without- essential ingredients, like - almond milk, forcing them to- alter their menu.

- still, she encourages residents- to help prevent an- economic domino effect here on- the coast.- lisa: "if it's your favorite place to eat, order online.

You- can take this time and still- support them, and be safe and d- all those precautions that are- needed."

Lindsey goodwin: "and of course the coffee box isn't the only - local business- making temporary changes amid - the coronavirus.

We encourage - - - - you to check with businesses- near you to see how they're - responding to the outbreak and- how - you can help support them in- this time of uncertainity.

In - long beach, lindsey - goodwin news 25."

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