Support Your Local Businesses

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With the rapid advancement of COVID-19 throughout the state, more and more businesses have been temporarily closing their doors in an effort to help slow community spread.

Our local businesses have been hit especially hard as a result. Many have seen significantly slower business due to state, county and city mandates, and many more have reduced hours or been forced to let people go to stay afloat.

Governor Stitt announced Tuesday he would order all nonessential businesses in counties with confirmed COVID-19 cases to close for a 21-day period, which starts

Wednesday at midnight. This will include counties that receive a positive case in the future. These nonessential businesses include salons, gyms, tattoo parlors, spas and massage parlors.

Local economies will take a hit because of this pandemic, and it’s important we support our neighborhood businesses who are struggling or will struggle over the next few months.

However, there are numerous ways you can support your local businesses. Restaurants across the state have closed their dine-in areas, but many are now offering curbside pick-up, delivery and carryout orders. Limiting interactions between employees and customers will help flatten the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19. I encourage you to choose two or three local restaurants using these options to support this week to help our local economy stay strong.

Many stores and entertainment venues, such as movie theaters or bowling alleys, have also been forced to close during this time. These businesses are losing sales and many owners are wondering how they can break even and sustain their operations when they aren’t allowed to actively operate.

One way to show your support for these businesses facing tough times is to buy a gift certificate to use at a later date, when things have returned to normal. This will help keep businesses afloat during these difficult months, as well as give you and your family something to look forward to after these months pass!

Many constituents in District 65 are themselves business owners who would certainly appreciate any business you can safely give them during this time. Local businesses are the backbone of our community and our state. They employ our neighbors, provide goods and services, and invest in our community.

This is a confusing and uncertain time for everybody. This situation continues to develop and is likely to continue for several months, but if we take the precautions now, we can slow community spread and prevent our hospitals from being overrun. It is time for Oklahoma to come together and protect those we love and our way of life.

I don’t have all the answers, but I will help you find the answers and solutions you need to keep you and your family secure and safe during this outbreak. If you need me, I am available. The Capitol may be closed, but I am still working to help District 65.

Stay home, wash your hands and check on your loved ones.

This storm will pass before we know it.

Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, a Republican, represents District 65 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes Caddo, Comanche, Cotton, Grady and Stephens Counties.