We all know that we will be living with the impacts of the pandemic outbreak of COVID-19 novel coronavirus for years to come. As of this writing, the virus has infected well over 200,000 people globally, including 20,000 people in the United States—many in the Seattle area, and some in Spokane. Thousands of small businesses across the state are closed, and nonprofits and cultural organizations cannot hold events due to strict social distancing guidelines.

In the midst of such a difficult situation, we’ve seen glimpses of the resilient city that, during ordinary circumstances, we hope we’re building together.

Restaurants like Clover and Central Food, and breweries like Brick West and NoLi, have quickly adapted their business models and are offering unique grab-and-go dinner menus and growler fills. Local K-12 schools, colleges, and universities are moving what they can online and distributing grab-and-go meals. Local grocers, like Rosauer’s, are offering special shopping hours for seniors and other at-risk groups. And while the Spokane Public Library is temporarily closed, it is heavily promoting its online options, like e-books and digital learning tools.

Some nonprofits have even come up with fascinating ways to continue to advance their mission. Spark Central, for instance, immediately began fundraising for “creative care packages”—essentially, buckets of creative materials for neighborhood children who would not be able to visit their center during the crisis. Terrain began further promoting the artists and makers involved in its creative enterprise program, while From Here, their retail location, was closed.

As we adjust to social distancing, let’s grow this spirit of resilience and creativity. 

And as we begin to look beyond this crisis, let’s consider how we might build Spokane-centric supports for the workers, small business owners, freelancers, contractors, artists, and gig economy workers most at risk in these types of situations.

Could we offer zero-interest emergency loans (and hopefully additional grant support?) to small businesses and nonprofits through the City or a community foundation?

Could we further grow and assist neighborhood groups, which often form the first line of action in support of seniors, low-income, disabled, and at-risk folks?

Could we grow our local capacity in areas like public health, energy production, sustainable transport, and urban agriculture? Future local crises may involve not just disease, but also drought, wildfire, flooding, and other severe weather.

Could we help more local businesses and nonprofits sell their products online, to reduce vulnerability in case of shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders?

Could we further guarantee benefits like paid leave, health insurance, and housing security through emergencies in a Spokane-focused context?

The situation with COVID-19 is uniquely unsettling, and will have enormous impacts on our local economy. But local residents, businesses, and nonprofits are already showing their resolve and creativity in the face of adversity. Area leaders should do everything they can to support at-risk residents, workers, small businesses, and nonprofits, while making careful note of the things we’ll need to ensure we can even more easily meet the next crisis.