FORT MYERS, Fla. — Local customers are pitching in to support restaurants following new restrictions due to the coronavirus.
Jeff Balyeat brought his son for take out at Three Pepper downtown Fort Myers Wednesday.
“We figured we’d come out and support local businesses, and you know try to do our part,” He said.
He said he saw a half dozen people in line behind him, which he said isn’t too bad for an early lunch crowd.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno also came out to support the local businesses.
Capone’s Coal Fired Pizza said they’ve noticed a slow down after the governor’s orders to spread out tables and cut seating in half.
Daniel Kearns, the Vice President of Kearns Restaurant Group, which owns Capone's says an increase in deliveries and adding curbside pickup will help them do that.
“Inside, we have seen a decrease, but we’re doing everything we can to keep community fed, and we’re keeping our staff still employed,” he said.
Restaurant employees aren’t the only ones feeling the financial effect of coronavirus Lawyers like Stephen Buckley have their hands full. People want to prepare their loved ones for the “what if’s.”
He said he’s gotten a lot of financial calls. Coronavirus has clients asking about investment moves and rethinking wills.
“It’s such an unknown that I think people are starting to look at it and saying maybe I’d better take that old will out and read it over,” he said.
Many unmarried couples and out-of-state parents are seeking Buckley’s advice, too, especially f they don’t have a HIPPA release.
“The hospital’s telling them, I can’t even tell you if they’re in the hospital or not,” said Buckley.
Parents and spouses are also scrambling to become healthcare surrogates, so they can make decisions for their partners in case they get COVID-19.
Buckley added if you’re concerned about the stock market going up and down, your best bet is to think long term, and don’t make any rash decisions.
