NC Phase 2 Will Start May 22 – Here’s How You Can Help Support Charlotte’s Re-Opening
As Charlotte and the rest of the state prepare to enter Phase 2 of Governon Cooper’s plan, here’s what you can expect and how to help support local businesses and the community at large.
Phase 2 will:
- Lift the Stay At Home order with strong encouragement for vulnerable populations to continue staying at home to stay safe.
- Allow limited opening of restaurants, bars, fitness centers, personal care services, and other businesses that can follow safety protocols including the potential need to reduce capacity.
- Allow gathering at places such as houses of worship and entertainment venues at reduced capacity.
- Increase the number of people (currently ten) allowed at gatherings. The exact number still unknown.
- Open public playgrounds.
- Continue rigorous restrictions on nursing homes and other congregant care settings.
For now, to maintain progress, county and state officials have expanded social distancing and stay at home orders, limiting crowds at grocery stores, parks, and more. Grocery stores and other retailers can only have five people for every 1,000 square feet in the store at a time, according to Cooper’s order. Additionally, retailers need to offer shopping times for seniors and make hand sanitizer accessible, among other requirements. Finally, Mecklenburg County’s Public Health Department is now recommending everyone wear a mask or face covering while in public settings like grocery stories and pharmacies.
Support Local Retailers, including Salons & Fitness Centers
There are many locals reopening (or recently reopened) who you can peruse, in store or online, today. Their shops are extensions of their creativity, passions, and individuality.
From Bruce Julian’s Blood Mary bar in the back of his suit shop to the knowledgeable designers on hand at places like Theory and House of Nomad, to the fashionistas who will help you choose seasonal wardrobe updates at Pink Hanger, there is something about the experience of shopping local at each and every one of these places that we will never take for granted again. Find a list here.
Plus, many who have been closed the longest, like the gyms, salons, and those in the personal care industries, are finally able to begin their modified reopenings. Support them, and welcome them back. Remember, even small, cost-free things like sharing their business on social media and leaving online positive reviews, can go a long way at this time.
Continue to Support Local Philanthropic Efforts
Supporting local charities and philanthrophies is an incredible way to help support our city get back on its feet, one human being at a time. There are so many community efforts aimed at helping keep local businesses stay afloat, feeding the hungry, supporting those who are out of work, and more. Check out this list for a few small ways you can get involved; and remember, even a donation as small as $5 can make a big difference.
Support Local Efforts at Health & Wellness
One of the top concerns for many right now is how to receive affordable health care. It has, perhaps, never been a more pressing matter. Dr. Melissa Jones is a local Charlottean who opened a Direct Primary Care practice that she says is perfect for people losing their jobs and employer covered healthcare. “My heart really goes out to the working poor – either they don’t have insurance, or with such high deductibles that they try not to use it. I do a monthly membership model and don’t use insurance… Wholesale labs, I don’t upcharge and there is never a surprise bill. I worked for one of the big hospitals and couldn’t treat patients the way they deserved so I am doing this model,” she shares. Memberships are, on average, $55 which includes all visits, sick and well. Her website is melissajonesdo.com and there is a FAQ page for interested prospective clients.
Support the Restaurants and Bars
As many in the industry prepare for modified, safe reopenings in Phase 2, be sure to keep in mind that these Charlotte restaurants — our friends, neighbors, and local purveyors — can survive only with the continued help and support of the community. Check out this list for some of the many who are currently open and continue to follow along as many who have been closed prepare to reopen. Choosing to buy food, beverages, and giftcards puts your dollars directly into action.
Stay safe, Charlotte!
