Community Response is Crucial During Coronavirus | Eastern NC Now

Publisher's note: The author of this post is Brenee Goforth for the John Locke Foundation.

    The Coronavirus has everyone talking about how the government should respond, but it is important to remember that our communities can respond too. In his recent research brief, JLF's Joe Coletti shares what people have been doing to help their communities in this difficult time. Coletti writes:

• Nextdoor is filled with offers to run errands for neighbors. Families near college campuses are offering free storage to suddenly displaced students whose classes have migrated online as have those of their younger siblings. Religious gatherings, scout meetings, and even our Shaftesbury Society lunches have also moved to the online-only format. These actions are among the countless beneficial reminders of the steps, both large and small, that people are willing to take to help others, regardless of government mandates.

    Businesses have made important decisions as well. Coletti writes:

• Utilities have promised they will not cut off services, and internet providers are even offering 60 days of free service to families with students (if they are new customers). Zion Williamson, Mark Cuban, and other players and owners around the NBA are covering the pay of arena workers. The XFL is continuing to pay all of its employees. Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and other ride-sharing and food-delivery companies "may set up a fund to compensate drivers affected by the novel coronavirus," according to the Wall Street Journal.

    The way the government responds in the next few weeks will be very important, but the way individuals and companies respond will be crucial as well.

    Read the full brief HERE. Read our full COVID-19 series HERE.