The domino effect of coronavirus pandemic can be seen by walking through Los Banos

The current COVID-19 pandemic has caused a domino effect.

We don’t even have to contract the virus to be affected. Its chain of cause and effect can be destructive and challenging in ways we could never have foreseen.

A relative of mine, in their mid 30s, has been suffering from COVID-19 for over six weeks. It has been a roller coaster of temperatures, symptoms and misery.

His wife and young daughter have been quarantined with him. They have lost income, and worry constantly when this will all end.

Another family member recently had brain surgery in a hospital in a city nearby. It was a difficult surgery that carried great risk. He missed family support, as visitors were not allowed in the hospital. Because all ICU beds were filled with COVID-19 patients at the time, he was kept in recovery and then sent home, just three days post surgery, after being told he has terminal cancer.

This was a horrible experience made worse by the fact that COVID-19 allowed no family member to be present.

Our school systems are suffering side effects as well. We now face the reality that school may be virtual until the virus is better controlled. Thinking beyond the loss of the class time experience, our children are losses to businesses who count on revenue from the sale of school clothes, school supplies, gym clothes, uniforms, class pictures and a myriad of other services.

If money makes the world go round, COVID-19 has almost stopped its spin. Everywhere you see huge financial losses, stores closing, or limiting their services. It is hard to realize how big this picture is, how many businesses we have known which will never return. Jobs are lost, resulting in the pocketbook issues that come with no paycheck.

And it’s a domino effect. If you are not making money, or are afraid you may lose your job, you don’t spend money, and that affects other businesses.

Loss of revenues means less sales tax and that directly affects our community’s ability to maintain services. Recently I walked downtown and saw for myself some of the COVID-19 impact. All beauty salons and manicure shops — usually thriving businesses — are closed.

I saw far fewer people walking down Main Street, so I decided to talk with a few of the businesses that were fortunate to still be open.

Joanne Hoeffler, owner of Phoenix Books, has owned her business since 1982. She reports, “My sales are down 90% due to the effect of COVID-19 on downtown. Consumers are confused and frustrated.”

One of the cornerstones of downtown is Los Banos Drug Stores, where pharmacist Duane Griffin states that times are tough, but they are trying hard to follow guidelines

”We have marked social distancing, wear masks and try to get customers out as fast as possible,” Griffin said. ”I think we do what we can to help them feel safe, but business is down.”

Griffin states that about 50% of their business now is delivery and curbside. While the popular lunch counter does have takeout available, the lack of sitting down and chatting has hurt business both at the counter and in the aisles.

Griffin explains,” When you are a business in downtown, businesses are a draw to each other, each store impacts the other. You know, you don’t know what you have till it’s gone.”

Lucy Lawrence, manager of Mechanics Bank, states that she has noticed heavier use of the bank’s ATM and online services. Penny Glick, owner of Country Duck, has been working hard to find innovative ways to keep her business going through these difficult times. Glick says,” My business is about 25% down from normal. I have been using delivery and curbside. I have created a big market online and Instagram. I am continuously posting new pictures, I work nonstop-long days. Currently I have over 6,000 followers. You have to be very creative.”

Food is important to us and the dining industry has been greatly impacted. Many restaurants have already closed due to the restrictions, and others have had to lay off part of their staff or give them fewer hours due to the ‘new normal’. Take-out services have kept some businesses open.

Check to see if your favorite place offers takeout — some may even deliver. Another option is outside dining at some of our local restaurants, which provides for appropriate social distancing.

One thing we can do to keep these businesses open and their staffs employed is to use their services. It is hard to find an area not touched by COVID-19. Local and professional sports, concerts, movies, retail, farming, medical services, manufacturing, food plants, education, and the loss of tax revenue to communities are all reeling from cause and effect.

COVID-19 is affecting everyone, but we notice most how it affects us at home. I know it has been months since I have seen my friends, attended church or clubs. I miss the contact, and that has led to depression. I now have phone visits with my doctor instead of in person. Because I was exposed to COVID-19 I have had the test with that great swab up my nose. I am negative, which is good news, of course, but for a week while I waited for results I was a little worried.

And that brings me to my last effect of COVID-19 dominoes: fear.

I think to some degree most of us have felt it at least once since the pandemic began. Fear for our loved ones, for our community, for our nation, and fear for ourselves. Stay safe, my friends. One day this too shall pass.

This story was originally published August 21, 2020 at 6:00 AM.