April 15, 2020
COVID-19 INDUSTRY UPDATE #7
As we soldier through the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, we are being challenged in many ways. The worry about the virus; our economic viability; whether our kids are getting a proper education with virtual learning; whether we’ll become contaminated each time we leave to purchase essentials…all of this and more. I’ve been there and it will get better.
I remember during Katrina when standing in line at the only storefront open in the entire city, serving only cheeseburgers and water, surrounded by total ruin, I truly felt like the world was ending. It did not. We all climbed back, and the life-altering lessons I learned have now become part of my journey through life.
This is different. At least we saw an end as we rebuilt after the hurricane, albeit one far away. It took twelve years to come back after Katrina. All the data and surveys to date tell us that the tourism industry will be whole again within five years. For Plymouth it likely will be better as we continue our anniversary through 2021. (400th anniversary of the first Thanksgiving)
While we don’t see an end presently to COVID-19, there will be an end, a vaccine, and testing to allow those who have had the illness to go back to work. In the whole scheme of things, the amount of time we spend getting through this is not as important as how we react to it.
The only thing that got me through Katrina was to say to myself, “It is what it is…now how do I want to react?” I chose to be positive, but that was impossible until I realized I had to talk to others. In a time of crisis, expressing your fears and asking for help is not only important but could be the difference in how you weather the COVID crisis. Begin every day looking for a few silver linings in this and then talk to others and share your positive outlook. If you are in need of food, money, or other essentials, tell someone.
See Plymouth is a group of diversified businesses from the town and county of Plymouth. We have always been a close-knit group and have helped each other through thick and thin. That will not change through this crisis. We will get through this together, even if it is only seeing each other on ZOOM.
All of us at See Plymouth continue working remotely from home, but our email addresses work, so should you need anything, please contact us!
