MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce President Debbie Doran-Martinez discussed how the chamber is working to keep the community informed and safe amid COVID-19 concerns, while asking the community to continue to support local businesses during the coming weeks.

“The focus is trying to keep everybody safe, keep them educated, but, most importantly, keep them calmed down,” Doran-Martinez said. “No hoarding, just wash your hands, and if you think about it, wash them again.”

Doran-Martinez emphasized the importance of people keeping their distance during the closures related to COVID-19, and she said they won’t do any good if everyone is still out and socializing.

Safety is at the forefront of the chamber’s focus, which includes sharing information through social media as the situation develops.

There are ways community members can assist local businesses while still practicing social distancing.

“If you go to dinner every Friday night, go get carry-out at that restaurant,” Doran-Martinez said. “We are encouraging, for product services that had to be canceled, due to salon closures, things like that, reach out to your stylist, see if you can prepay for that service even though you’re not getting it for two weeks, maybe.”

These small acts might help these local businesses make it through the next few weeks, Doran-Martinez said. She also shared advice regarding staff reductions if they become necessary.

“For businesses, layoff is the better option so those people can go get emergency unemployment,” Doran-Martinez said. “Reducing their hours just puts them more in a pickle.”

Doran-Martinez said the chamber is also asking landlords, that have the ability, to work with their tenants in the coming weeks regarding rent payments.

She said all utility companies have said they won’t shut off anyone’s power or gas.

“Nothing like that is going to happen,” Doran-Martinez said. “People can just take a deep breath, and we’ll figure it out. But they don’t need to add that to their stress level.”

Doran-Martinez said the chamber is encouraging everyone to think outside the box and work with others to navigate these uncertain times.

“Once we’re over this hump, it’s still not going to be an ideal situation,” Doran-Martinez said. “It’s kind of like a slow start. Once that engine gets turned off, getting it turned back on, there’s going to be some sputters.”