My name is Paige Maring and I am the communications intern here at the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce. I have worked at the Chamber since May 2019 and have enjoyed every minute of getting to work and learn from the Chamber Staff. While I enjoy my time at the Chamber, I also feel it’s necessary to still have a part time job serving at a local restaurant here in Lubbock. With the cost of my rent, utilities and everyday expenses; the extra money from my shifts as a server help to keep me afloat financially. During this time of crisis from the COVID-19 virus, I have been able to still complete my internship work remotely and remain in self-isolation but unfortunately restaurants here in Lubbock are required to close their doors for the time being and as a result I’ve lost that source of income.

With over three years under my belt in the food service industry, I have gotten used to the idea of still having to work on days that other industries might expect the day off. Holidays, weekends, and bouts of bad weather are not accepted as reasons to not show up for my shift, and can often serve as some of my best days for making extra cash. Upon hearing about the COVID-19 virus, my first thought was that I should check my staff scheduling app to pick up some extra hours and take advantage of some of my coworkers extending their spring break plans.

While I personally feel that my choice to work as a server has many benefits; the opportunity to choose my own hours, cash in my hand every night when I leave the restaurant, and a laid-back work environment are some of the reasons I love my bonus job. But there are definitely some short-comings that make working in the service-industry difficult, for many of us it is expected that we continue coming to work even when we are not feeling our best. Without the reassurance of paid time off or sick leave, servers everyday are forced to question whether they are able to still continue to work while under the weather or have to forgo to the opportunity to make money so they can get the rest their body needs.

Because of my history in this industry, I did not expect COVID-19 to prevent me from continuing to do my job. In my own head, it seemed like a no-brainer that the restaurant I worked at would stay open because I still needed to be able to pay my rent at the end of the month, I could still use the extra tip money. It wasn’t until I received word that restaurants in this area were being forced to close their dine-in options that this virus became a real threat in my mind. While I understand that closing unessential businesses greatly reduces the chance of COVID-19 being spread even further in our community, it still creates extra strain on those of us who have been displaced from our jobs.

COVID-19 has left many of us feeling scared and unsure about the state of our health, but for those of us in the food service-industry and many similar industries that provide no safety net for their employees, we are left feeling scared about our financial health as well. While my employer has done everything in their power to reassure us that our jobs will still be waiting as soon as the COVID-19 crisis subsides, it is difficult to sit at home hoping that I will receive some of my income back.

Because of the information I received from my employers, I was able to apply for unemployment benefits early on and have already received information about the supplemental income I will be able to receive during this crisis.

While I understand that my situation could be much worse, I am so lucky to not have been directly affected by COVID-19 in the sense that myself and those I love are still healthy. I think it is important to remember during difficult times the importance of our community. Supporting our business community and feeling connected to the Lubbock community as a whole can feel impossible when we have all been instructed to separate and stay in our own homes. But even small signs of support, like purchasing gift cards to visit at a later date or ordering take-out from your favorite restaurant, could be what keeps some of our smaller businesses afloat until this COVID-19 mess is behind us and ensure that I have a job to go back to when the time is right. A list of all of our Lubbock Chamber member restaurants and their adjusted hours and carryout or curbside options can be found on our website!

Please help the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce in serving as a champion for the Lubbock business community by joining our #LBKLocalChallenge. This challenge is intended to show small businesses here in Lubbock that they still have the support of our community. The rules of the challenge are simple, just post a picture on your social media showing how you support your favorite Lubbock businesses, write a caption including the words "I support (the name of the business)", and tag three friends to do the same!

Up to date information about the COVID-19 virus and its effect to the Lubbock business community, as well as resources like small business loans, health recommendations and a list of Lubbock business that are currently hiring can be found at http://www.lubbockchamber.com/covid-19-info-resources.