🔒Find kindness in the coronavirus chaos

I oftentimes talk about my struggle as an employer, and when news hit Massachusetts was in a state of emergency due to COVID-19, the feelings of pressure and stress again hit me like a ton of bricks.

The impact the economy and local businesses have endured is intense and scary when the future is unknown. I dreaded the message I had to send out to my employees, saying if things progress in our state and we are forced to close, hours would be cut and I would not be able to pay them. I had to mention it may be best to only spend their paycheck on necessities for the time being, even though it was not my place to do so. When you employ people, you cannot help but care about their lives. I have employees who do not have enough savings to survive, who have families at home, who live paycheck to paycheck.

The pandemic of COVID-19 has been consuming with the impact reaching far and wide. In my group chats with other business owners, we were almost at a loss for words but tried to come up with solutions together. We all vowed to continue shopping at each other’s places of business and support each on social media. But it reaches so much further than our businesses. The single parents on one income, cashiers at grocery stores bombarded by hours of lines, bus drivers not able to drive children to school, salons losing clients, the new businesses in our neighborhood who are just getting started.

But all the while, when the world seems to be engulfed in chaos, I have seen so much goodness. Every business I have seen has posted the same message: We need all of you right now. And without having to seem desperate, people have come through and brought me to tears multiple times with their generosity and support. For example, we work very closely with Simon Says Give, Worcester Chapter. Each month, we donate two cakes for the birthday parties the nonprofit throws for children who would not otherwise have one. Jim Eber, whose son Simon came up with the idea, emailed us and told us he will pay for the next six cakes without a donation. A couple who is getting married in September bought a $300 gift card they will use towards their wedding, just so we would have the cash now. David Callahan of Westborough law firm Callahan, Barraco, Inman & Bonzagni, PC wanted to place a large order and pay in full for us to donate to our local communities in need while paying us to do so. Just with that purchase alone, we will be able to make 226 chocolate chip cookies and 14 dozen cupcakes for our community.

Customers have purchased multiple gift cards to use later or give to others, just to support us. I met with Heather Dumais, my loan officer at Cornerstone Bank, and I confided in her my fears of what was to come if I had to close the shop. She reassured me the bank would do everything they could to help me, and I was not alone in my feelings. I had other banking friends reach out to me, as well as Cheryl Miller from the Clark University’s Small Business Development Center to let me know the U.S. Small Business Administration was planning a disaster relief fund for small businesses impacted by the coronavirus. I luckily could pass this along to my fellow business owner friends.

I have seen the memes online, and while I have laughed and tried to find humor in the situation, I have seen an abundance of posts and stories with people complaining about those who have raided grocery stores for toilet paper, clearing out the shelves as if we will be locked in our homes for weeks on end. And while I agree these situations bring out the worst in people, like the holidays, I know I need to stay positive and strong for those around me. Instead of worrying about what inevitable negative behavior will be shown by others, I can focus on the kindness of those who bring out the best in themselves and their inner circle. Kindness, in my opinion, takes precedence over chaos.

Renee Diaz is the owner of The Queen's Cups bakery in Worcester, whose business is facing new challenges in the coronavirus pandemic.