Pioneer COVID-19 Recovery Guide

9 1 D I V CO E D I U G Y R E V O C E R

MIDWEST

A Supplement To:

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COVID RESOURCE GUIDE | SUPPLEMENT TO THE PIONEER

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Please call us if we can be of service 231.823.8300

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High Touch Cleaning Checklist

High touch items are among the most pathogen heavy surfaces in your facility.

Routine cleaning and disinfecting of these items along with frequent hand washing are critical to breaking the chain of infection and creating clean, safe, and healthy environments.

CHAIR HANDLES & BACKS

PHONES

COFFEE MACHINES & POTS

PODIUMS

COUNTER TOPS

PRINTER/FAX MACHINES

DESKTOPS

REFRIGERATOR HANDLES & DOORS

DOOR GLASS

SINK FAUCETS & HANDLES

DOOR HANDLES & EDGES

STAIR RAILS

ELEVATOR BUTTONS & DOORS

STAPLERS & STAPLE REMOVERS

EMPLOYEE CELL PHONES

TABLETOPS

KIOSK BUTTONS

TAPE DISPENSERS

KEYBOARDS & MICE

TIME CLOCKS

LIGHT SWITCHES

TOASTER OVENS

MAILBOXES

TRASH RECEPTACLES

MICROWAVES

VENDING MACHINES

PAPER TOWEL DISPENSERS

WATER FOUNTAINS

DON’T OVERLOOK THESE COMMON GATHERING PLACES. BREAK ROOM AREAS (APPLIANCES, SINKS, CHAIRS & TABLES)

CONFERENCE ROOM TABLES & CHAIRS

RESTROOMS (RESTROOM FLUSH HANDLES, TOILET PAPER DISPENSERS)

OPEN SHARED WORKSPACES

While we hope it will never be necessary, ServiceMaster Clean is qualified and equipped with the required protocols and processes should any pathogen outbreak occur within your facility.

JUNE 27, 2020

COVID RESOURCE GUIDE | SUPPLEMENT TO THE PIONEER

y t i v i t a e r C r o f k o Lo

Surviving the pandemic economy is going to take some creative tricks, and that’s where a lot of smaller, local businesses have a leg up on the large corporations.

They’re more agile and usually more community-oriented, so look for them to come through big in the COVID-19 clutch. restaurants They aren’t just doing curbside service of their normal menus. They’re selling an entire family meal meant to feed everyone. Or they’re selling off things that would normally be used for their sit-down dining — such as paper goods and

Breweries and distiLLeries Both beer and hand sanitizer have one thing in common: alcohol. And though they are different types — please don’t try to drink hand sanitizer — it can be made with roughly the same equipment.

Some breweries are converting one or more of their production lines to turning out the coronavirus holy grail and offering it for purchase or giving it away with a purchase of their beer. States, counties and cities are also easing regulations regarding curbside and drive-up purchase of alcohol and cocktails, giving breweries, distilleries and bars a fighting chance at survival.

onLine saLes Business communities are banding together to promote

the ever-elusive toilet paper — along with their regular

online sales or other activities to responsibly boost business

menus.

during the pandemic. Tallahassee, Florida, businesses and city

Some restaurants are also using their wholesale grocer

officials put on a one-day #rallyfortally, and the city’s

ties to turn themselves into mini-grocery stores, providing

Geographic Information System department turned out an

food where there otherwise wouldn’t be any. Or they’re

interactive map of restaurants serving curbside food. In

devoting whole days to turning out products that are tough

Laramie County, Wyoming, Visit Cheyenne hosted a social dis-

to find, such as loaves of bread.

tancing bingo game where local businesses donated prizes.

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COVID RESOURCE GUIDE | SUPPLEMENT TO THE PIONEER

JUNE 27, 2020

SO MUCH TO OFFER

• Full Line of Farm Seeds & Fertilizer • Full Range of Pet Foods & Supplies

Big thanks to Mecosta County for supporting us during the crisis and future.

• Chicken Feeds and Accessories • Horse Supplies Full Line of Organic Insecticides, Fertilizers & Seeds!

BULK GARDEN SEEDS

Organic Seeds, Heirloom Seeds, High Quality Flower Bulbs

We appreciate serving all your full service needs.

The Area’s ONLY Drive-Thru Feed Store!

We Salute Our lOcal 4-H GrOupS!

Loni Sprague Dezigns with Loni LLC

819 North State Street Big Rapids, MI 49307 231-598-9194

dezignswithloni.imprintableapparel.com

Your source for Wildlife food plot seeds

Visit Big Rapids Farm & Garden at 310 N. Fourth Street with the Area’s Only Drive-Thru Feed Store! Phone: 231-796-6363

” e d o M a l A e h t r e b m e “Rem While serving you up the Best Breakfast we also offer: Hot Beef & Turkey Sandwiches Philly French Dips • Burgers BLTs • Clubs • Reubens Salmon Patty Dinners • Hand-Dipped Cod Meatloaf Dinners Tender Liver Dinners Chicken Dinners Authentic Yooper Pasties Homemade Soups • Real Mashed Potatoes

We ConTinue To SeRve you CuRBSiDe FoR eveRyone’S SaFeTy; WeDneSDay - SunDay • 7:00aM – 3:30PM Increased outdoor seatIng!

Ala Mode Café Order Online at alamode.cafe (full menu available) or call to place an order:

231-796-6633 407 North State St., Big Rapids, MI

JUNE 27, 2020

COVID RESOURCE GUIDE | SUPPLEMENT TO THE PIONEER

Marquette Trails Golf Club 6409 W 76th St, Baldwin, MI 49304 231.898.2450 | www.marquettetrailsgc.com Serving the beSt breakfaSt in town, our reStaurant iS open 7 dayS a week! try our eat fit menu!

7am-2pm monday - friday 7am-3pm Saturday & Sunday

*Special rateS* new for 2020 SeaSon mondays all day (excluding holidays) Seniors, veterans, military, law enforcement & front line workers $25 - 18 holes w/cart green feeS

monday – friday

9 holes- walking $16, w/cart $25 18 holes- walking $26, w/cart $44

Saturdays, Sundays, holidays

twilight

9 holes- walking $19, w/cart $28 18 holes- walking $30, w/cart $48

Senior rates (55 & older)

Monday all day, Tues. - Thurs. until Noon 9 holes w/cart $19, 18 holes w/cart $30 BALDWIN

Junior rates Juniors ride free with paying adult.

9 holes $11, 18 holes $20

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Located 3 miles south of Baldwin at Big Star Lake

4 PM- 18 holes $35 6 PM- Unlimited $24

3 Miles MARQUETTE TRAILS

76th St.

Like us on Facebook @MarquetteTrailsGolfClub

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Hold Fast tattoo 150

100

50

pResent this ad foR

10%

of f (269) 331-9120 Rob Nicol | holdfasttat2@gmail.com | @HOLDFASTTATTOO 106 W. Upton, Unit B | Reed City, Mi 49677

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G N I T E K R A CRISIS M Adapt your marketing strategies to the three stages of the COVID-19 crisis

1 SHUTDOWN APRIL - MAY

Adjust your message to meet changing consumer needs - informing customers of changes to your business mode!

2 RECOVERY MAY - JULY

Reinforce your commitment to the community and reassure consumers of the measures in place to protect them

3 SURGE AUGUST +

The impact of pent up demand and an altered marketplace offers climatic opportunity. It is time to amplify your message

Patrick Brooks | Digital Marketing Strategist patrick.brooks@hearst.com 231-592-8383

We are happy to assist you in your reach out. Please contact your Brook manager if you need assistance.

JUNE 27, 2020

This is not an easy time for anyone, and it is an especially difficult

COVID RESOURCE GUIDE SUPPLEMENT TOLet’s THE 7 time| for our senior residents. all PIONEER work together to protect them.

www.BrookRetirement.com

989.745.6500

Big Rapids • Boyne City • Cedar Springs • Cheboygan Gaylord • Gladwin • Grayling • Houghton Lake • Newaygo Portland • Rogers City • Roscommon • West Branch

We know you are concerned about the spread of CV-19 and how it may impact your family and friends at The Brook Retirement Communities.

In these challenging times, our devotion to our residents continues in order to care for and meet their needs in a safe and healthy environment.

The well-being of our residents and staff members remains our top priority. We have been utilizing best practices for infection prevention in all our facilities since the day we opened our doors.

Be assured each staff member, prior to their shift, is required to complete a questionnaire about the potential for exposure and screening for symptoms of feeling ill. Staff is also required to monitor their body temperature to ensure they do not have a fever.

We promise to stay current with CDC recommendations, as those recommendations evolve. The Brook is also in close contact with local and state health department officials.

To protect our senior residents we have since March 12, 2020 implemented a no visitor policy at our facilities. We understand that staying connected to your loved ones is extremely important. There are many ways to stay connected including telephone, email, text, video chat or social media. We are happy to assist you in your reach out. Please contact your Brook manager if you need assistance.

This is not an easy time for anyone, and it is an especially difficult time for our senior residents. Let’s all work together to protect them.

COVID RESOURCE GUIDE | SUPPLEMENT TO THE PIONEER

reenhouse’s

and Produce Growers 21875 Monroe, Morley, MI

Buy Direct – 231-856-3380 At Greenhouses Google Satellite Map & SAVE! Covid-19 has created a plant shortage this year.

Next year plant production will increase.

614 N. State Street, Big Rapids statestreethardware.com

231-796-8122 • • • • •

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Monroe

Brady Lake

Greenhouses &

ROAD SIDE MARKET Jefferson

Front-side USB port allows users to quickly print from or scan to any standard USB memory device.

250-sheet output tray with tray-full sensor.

The 150-sheet bypass Tray handles media sizes from 3 x 5 in, to 8.5 x 14in./76.2x127 mm to 216 x356 mm.

With the 550-sheet paper tray, standard paper capacity totals 700 sheets (including Bypass tray).

Exit 125

AMPLE PARKING

*All gift certificates from our 2020 season will be honored in 2021.

Thank you for your continued support, locally growing 20 years!

-Saenz Family Monday-Saturday

9am-6pm Sunday 11am-5pm

We have fundraiser programs for organizations available.

Credit Cards • Checks • Cash Welcome • Gift Certificates Available

Why pay a superstone .39¢ a copy, when you can print on demand “in house” at a fraction of the cost?

50-sheet Single-pass Duplex Automatic document feeder (DADF) Scans two-sided originals for copy, scan, and fax jobs.

US-131

OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT • HOME • BUSINESS • VEHICLE LOCKOUT

G

Saenz

215th

– EST. 1951 –

JUNE 27, 2020

230th

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JUNE 27, 2020

COVID RESOURCE GUIDE | SUPPLEMENT TO THE PIONEER

e e r F r u o y Claim ! g n i t s i l business As we begin to navigate the return to normalcy, there are many questions that have been left unanswered for consumers. Is your business fully operational again? What safety precautions is your business taking? Are there any coupons or deals being offered right now?

The Big Rapids Pioneer, Lake County Star, and The Herald Review are supporting local businesses by creating Open for Business, a free directory, to assist entrepreneurs like you across our community to answer all of these questions, and more!

Claim your Free listing in our open For business direCtory in just 3 easy steps: 1. Head to https://bit.ly/ofbpioneer 2. Fill out the form 3. Verify the listing information It is that simple! Let us help you get back on track! please feel free to spread the word to your friends and fellow entrepreneurs; after all, helping our neighbors — it is what we do best!

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t r A p A S S e n i uS B r u o Y g n i t t Se Y r o t S r u o Y g BY tellnign ing/Story Studio s ti r e v d A e v ti a N / Content Marketi

In a world where things are ever-changing due to COVID-19, it is more important than ever to let our potential customers and clients know how we are doing business safely. As we continue our movement towards a “new normal”, we need our business message to be one that meets the needs of our potential clients and customer and that breaks through all the other “digital noise” online. Wouldn’t you agree?

What we are learning, especially during this time of re-opening, is that people are doing their own research online before they ever pick up the phone to call your business. They want to know exactly what you do, how you are different from your competitor, and how your business is offering a “safe service” during this time. Meeting our customers in a way that goes along with this behavior is proving to be not only a nice option, but an essential one.

The obvious question we are all asking is, how can my business meet this need? This brings us to a different marketing approach than we might be familiar with in traditional advertising (t.v., radio, magazines, billboards) We hear it called by different names like “content marketing”, or “native advertising”. Basically, it is the idea of taking a less in-your-face approach like you might see in a social media or online banner ad. Instead, you can tell your story in an interactive editorial piece with a targeted marketing approach that reaches your specific desired audience online.

The good news is, you have an option that can fulfill all parts of this type of marketing campaign all in one place, close to home. Hearst Media Midwest offers a history of over 100 years of telling stories through our newspapers, magazines and online content. We are now using our powerful story telling experience to the advantage of your local business.

Writing and telling the story is only half the battle. We need local people to not only be aware of your story, we need them to engage into it and read it. It is uncommon to get any guarantees in the advertising/marketing world, but Hearst’s Story Studio – Native Advertising campaigns come with a guaranteed number of engagements, so your story is not just being glanced at. We deliver your story out to those people interested in what you do until we reach our desired level of engagement. We measure this by only counting an “engagement” when a reader has stayed on the page long enough and has scrolled deep enough to have actually read the content.

The magic of Story Studio – Native Advertising, is that we are telling a more complete story about who you are as a business or organization, what you do and how you are doing it safely for your customers trying to get back to normal life. It is time to change our approach in how we reach our desired audience and future customers and clients through our marketing efforts. Let Hearst Media help you tell your story online in a way that will reach those potential customers and clients on their terms. Tell your story. Set yourself apart. Story Studio.

I would love to help tell your story. Give me a call or email me today!

Josh Wilson | Digital Marketing Strategist joshua.wilson@hearst.com - 231-679-5879

JUNE 27, 2020

COVID RESOURCE GUIDE | SUPPLEMENT TO THE PIONEER

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Sunday Online Service at 9am • OutdOOr Service at 10am

We LOVE our Lutheran School

Online VBS for 2020

We are excited to talk to you about our 2020 VBS here at St. Peter’s, Rocky Mountain Railway! Despite being a bit limited in what we can do for VBS this year due to Covid-19 we are still having VBS this year! We will be doing VBS completely online this year from your very own homes! Even though VBS will look a bit different this year we will still have a blast growing together in Jesus! More details of what specifically this will look like will be posted to this site, so be on the lookout for those as they come!

St. Peter's Lutheran Church 408 W. Bellevue St. | Big Rapids | MI | 49307 Phone: 231.796.6684 | Fax: 231.796.1186

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y r e v i l e d d n a T u O Take

Many states and cities have shut down the sit-down portions of restaurants and bars, but that doesn’t mean they’re totally shut down.

Some are switching to completely curbside pickup or delivery to keep the lights on and staff employed. Using takeout and delivery services is a safe way to continue supporting local business even during the pandemic. is iT safe?

According to the FDA, there’s no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with the transmission of COVID19. It might be possible, the agency says, that you can get the virus by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or maybe eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

If you’re still concerned, just wash your hands well after unpacking your food or other items and disposing of the

and game stores, and other businesses are now offering free delivery in their local area, sometimes with a minimum order. If you need a product, look for a local business that will deliver it. And with pandemic-driven delays in shipping, local delivery may even beat the big online retailers.

Look to social media posts, business listings, stories in the newspaper or on the television news, and guidance from local officials to find out what’s open and delivering.

There may even be a hashtag you can follow like #wereopen or #openin(your city) to get some ideas of businesses to support.

Waived fees Bear in mind that some delivery services, like Uber Eats, DoorDash, Bite Squad and others, charge restaurants a fee to deliver their food.

Try to order directly from the business itself, when possible, or use a service that’s waived those fees for the pandemic. Grubhub, Uber Eats and DoorDash are just a few companies that have waived fees in specific localities.

You can always ask the business you’re calling if they

packaging.

Think BeyOnd fOOd Lots of places besides restaurants are taking a page from their playbook. Book stores, pharmacies, nurseries, toy

have to pay a fee for the service. If they do, maybe opt for a curbside option instead, so that the business owner gets to keep more of the money.

JUNE 27, 2020

COVID RESOURCE GUIDE | SUPPLEMENT TO THE PIONEER

Here for You Before, During, and After all of Life’s Crisis

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e g A T n A v d A h c Te

Zoom meetings, Google Hangouts and FaceTime chats have been around for a while, but with most face-to-face meetings out of the question for a while and many people working from home, they’re now coming into their own. virTuAl MeeTings Look at your pre-pandemic calendar. If you had meetings with a financial planner or real estate agent, that meeting may still be on. Many professionals, particularly in service-related industries, are turning to video chats and other tech services to continue doing business in the time of social distancing.

Realtors, for example, are using tech to offer virtual tours and open houses using a variety of videos, touring via FaceTime, live streaming a house tour and more. Spring is typically a hot time for buying and selling houses, and with interest rates at rock bottom, the industry just can’t afford to miss out. Vacant properties can also still be shown, provided agents and potential buyers adhere to proper social distancing protocols.

Other professionals that may be offering virtual meetings during this time include financial advisors, bankers, fitness trainers and more.

TeleMedicine Medical and mental health appointments may still be on, too. Insurance providers, Medicare and Medicaid have rapidly expanded their available covered telehealth services so that people can continue to get treatment so long as providers are available during the pandemic. Your provider may ask you to do certain things like verbally acknowledge you accept telehealth treatment and showing that you’re in a private place, but otherwise, the visit should go much like it would in an office.

Fluffy may also qualify for a telemedicine visit, the FDA says. The agency recently suspended many requirements of the veterinarian-client-patient relationship.

“The FDA recognizes the vital role veterinarians play in protecting public health. This pandemic has had impacts on many of our everyday lives and professions, and during this time, we need to provide veterinarians with the latitude to expand the use of telemedicine in the care of animals,” said FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn. “The FDA is providing flexibility that will help veterinarians maintain the health of animals during the pandemic, while allowing for the social distancing that is so important in limiting the further spread of coronavirus disease across the country and world.”

JB

JUNE 27, 2020

COVID RESOURCE GUIDE | SUPPLEMENT TO THE PIONEER

JORDAN BALKEMA

ELDER LAW CENTER

The average nursing home cost per month is $9,200. Do you have a plan for how to pay for it?

We can help.

In-Person, Video & Telephone Conferences Available 218 Maple Street, Big Rapids, MI 49307 231-796-4012 • 800-395-4347 www.myelderlawplanning.com

Additional Locations: • Cadillac • Gaylord • Traverse City

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d r a C t f i g a g n i y Bu

Even with advances in technology, there are some businesses that just can’t open.

Beauty salons of all kinds are shuttered, as are a lot of gyms, cleaning services, movie theaters and anywhere else people tend to congregate. Even with the doors closed, though, there are ways you can help.

How does Buying a gift Card Help?

Buying a gift card is a great way to put money in a business owner’s hands now that they can use for payroll or

them anyway. Many of these providers are independent contractors with little or no safety net during this time.

How do i Buy My gift Card?

It’s a rare business these days that doesn’t have social media or a website. Contact the business by email or social media message (no one may be around to answer the phone) and ask to purchase a gift card or gift certificate. If you’re worried about keeping your information safe, you can ask to use a trusted app or payment service, such as Venmo or PayPal. Bonus: Many businesses are offering a little something extra when you buy a card now, like a discount or extra service when you redeem.

bills without having to render the service until later, when

not Just tHe

the pandemic has passed and they’re back on their feet.

serviCe industry

And, chances are, that’s a service you were going to use,

Gift cards can help out anywhere, not just in the service

anyway, particularly if it’s a business you regularly used

industry, and it’s a great way to say thank you to those

before COVID-19.

going the extra mile, like health care workers, journalists

If you already had an appointment with your stylist, your

and first responders. Or just to get some Christmas shop-

lawncare provider, your massage therapist, your personal

ping done early (first check to make sure how long it will be

trainer or any other service provider that you can no lon-

valid). You can get gift cards to coffee shops, restaurants,

ger meet with, try to give them the tip you would’ve given

movie theaters, clothings stores, all kinds of places.

JUNE 27, 2020

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COVID RESOURCE GUIDE | SUPPLEMENT TO THE PIONEER

MPCP MICHIGAN PRIMARY CARE PARTNERS

INTERNAL MEDICINE FAMILY MEDICINE PAIN MANAGEMENT

cadillac

MPCP MICHIGAN PRIMARY CARE PARTNERS

INTERNAL MEDICINE FAMILY MEDICINE

baldwin

PAIN MANAGEMENT

Reed City Big Rapids

Canadian Lakes

m i c h i g a n p r i m a r y ca r e p a r t n e r s . co m

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COVID RESOURCE GUIDE | SUPPLEMENT TO THE PIONEER

d r a o B l l i B g n i k l Be a Wa Many local businesses don’t have

look for the helPers

big advertising budgets, and now

If you see a business owner doing something exceptional,

isn’t exactly the time they have

tell the world. So much of the news is gloomy that it’s easy to

extra money to start. You can help support them here in two big ways, however. Keep reading to find out more.

Buy Branded Merch

get depressed. Try looking for the helpers and sending some love their way on social media or by letting a local newspaper or television station know what they’re doing. Some examples to look for might be a restaurant providing free meals to medical staff or a brewery handing out hand sanitizer to first responders. Small businesses are community businesses, and chances are, they’re out there helping.

You’ve walked past the T-shirts at your favorite coffee shop hundreds of times to pick up your daily latte. Now is the time to buy one and wear it. Not only do shop owners make some money on branded merchandise, but you’re also doing some advertising for them. You can let people know they’re still doing business by posting their picture on social media or standing in line (6 feet away from everyone else) at the grocery store.

Pro-tip: Merchandise like coffee cups, keychains and shirts also make really neat gifts that show off your civic pride. Buy some now to set aside for Christmas, New Year’s, Teacher Appreciation Year 2021 or next Tuesday. Your pick.

Post on social While people are homeschooling their kids and searching for craft kits to keep them busy, they might be missing that really cool craft store just down the road.

Post pictures of your projects and tag them in it, using #shoplocal or other hashtags trending in your area. It gives the owner a morale boost and bumps up their bottom line. Note: It really doesn’t have to be a craft store. Any store would work here.

© adobe stock

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COVID RESOURCE GUIDE | SUPPLEMENT TO THE PIONEER

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PARIS AUTo SAleS & Service Center of Big rapids

Front end Alignment $29.95

Transmission Installed with Warranty Rebuilding Special!

Starting at

$1,295

• Brake Special • Tune-Ups • Struts, Shocks & Ball Joints • Starters & Alternator Service NAPA certified Service center All Work Guaranteed!

FRee estimates

WE ALSO DO TIRES! STOP IN TODAY!

All Major Credit Cards Accepted • Towing Available from Currie’s & BR Towing

OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE!

231-796-7355

18415 Northland Drive, Big Rapids | Just north of the airport on old 131 OPEN: Mon-Fri 8a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.