[Editor’s note: Because reaction to the coronavirus by state, county and city officials is changing rapidly, some of the information in this article may be out of date. This is therefore a snapshot of how local businesses, churches and schools reacted to the outbreak in the early weeks of March]

The COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent “social distancing” quarantine has had a profound impact on the world. Locally, businesses, schools and churches have taken proactive and cautious measures to prevent the spread of the virus and insure local residents that they are doing what they can to still serve the needs of the community.

Local business reaction

In a press statement, College Area Business District (CABD) Executive Director Jim Schneider said the CABD hopes the situation will pass quickly, but if it does not, the district will be ready to share any business relief programs with College Area businesses.

“We are monitoring the Small Business Association websites [sba.gov/disaster y sba.gov/coronavirus] and others to ensure that any and all possible relief programs are made available to the affected businesses in the College Area Business District. Their success is vital to the neighborhoods they serve. We will do all we can to ensure the businesses are aware of and have the opportunity to participate in any relief available. We are here to ensure their success especially through these dynamic and challenging times,” he stated.

Many local businesses in the College Area have decided to stay open, and have taken precautionary steps or have added services with safety of customers in mind. Before the county issued a March 16 ban on dining in at restaurants, College Area eateries were already making changes to the way they did business.

In a March 12 post to its Facebook page, Ultreya Coffee stated, “Hi community! Stressful times. We don’t want to add fear. But we want to let you know that we have every intention of doing our part to take coronavirus serious and how we can help minimize spread of anything.”

Some of the steps Ultreya listed include checking sanitation every 15 minutes, washing hands after every transition, only serving coffee in go cups, using gloves to handle food, and encouraging card transactions instead of cash. On March 13, Ultreya began offering coffee bean delivery. On March 15, the coffee shop decided to only serve to-go orders and delivery.

“I’m going to do anything I can to have a sustained business for long term when this is all over,” wrote Ultreya owner Danielle Riggins. “I know it’s scary for everyone and the last thing we all want to see is our beloved small businesses leave our communities and anyone else suffer financial hardships. I want to say thank you [to] all who support this little dream of mine and my employees. … If I had to close my doors, I’d say what a beautiful loving experience this has all been. But if you know me, you know I will never give up…”

Cheba Hut, another College Area food service business, also took to Facebook on March 13 to announce added precautions like increasing hand-washing practices; reducing contact points between staff and customers; making hand sanitizer available to all customers; placing all utensils behind the line and making them available only upon request. The Rastafarian-themed sandwich shop also added a little humor to their post:

“In this difficult time, we remain committed to making the Hut a destination for all. Toker Tip: Don’t share joints. One love!”

Health food shop Everbowl touted the positive aspects of its menu items and offered a bonus item to customers.

“During these uncertain times and with the spread of the coronavirus, it’s so important we do what we can to boost our immune systems and be our best, healthiest self! One way we can do this is through eating more nutritionally dense foods (superfoods) and taking care of our health!,” the company posted on March 13. “We at Everbowl want to make sure we do our part in helping everyone Unevolve and load their bodies with the best stuff! As a result, while supplies last, we will be offering a FREE Vitamin C shot with every bowl from our stores!We hope everyone stays safe during these times and together, as a community, we will get through this!”

Service industry businesses like Do’ Beauty Boutique reassured customers that they were taking extra cleaning precautions like serving drinks in disposable cubs and sitting clients at a “healthy distance” apart. The salon also changed some policies.

“If you are sick, please let us know ASAP. We will waive our usual 24 advanced notice for those that are sick for the next two weeks,” it posted. “We want to insure the health of all our guests and stylists. As always, all tools will be sanitized with professional grade sanitizer as required by law.”

Some of the hardest hit businesses in College Area, and across the region in general, have been workout gyms and studios, and event spaces.

MVMNT, Federico Academy of Performing Arts, and Majesty in Motion are all currently closed or have suspended classes due to coronavirus concerns,

“There are no known cases amongst our staff and students, but we are being as cautious as possible,” posted Majesty in Motion. “Please help spread the word and stay safe! We hope to be back at the studio and running classes soon! Please stay in contact with us for more updates. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”

On March 12, Jazzercise announced it was canceling its Strength45 and Strength30 classes and would be teaching the rest of its classes without exercise equipment.

“We will continue to bring you top-notch, hard-hitting and uplifting classes, and in the meantime let’s all continue to practice our good health habits!” its Facebook page stated. “We appreciate your support and patience during this rapidly changing situation, and we will continue to provide you updates and information as quickly as possible. Wishing you and your families good health!”

Unsurprisingly, event space M.L. Legacy Center announced it was canceling a March 21 Business Market event. “We will update you in regards to April’s event,” it added.

Local churches

Statewide recommendations against gatherings of more than 250, then 150, and then 50 people began taking effect around March 10. Sporting events and concerts around the country have been canceled or rescheduled. Locally, limiting the number of people that can gather together has also had an effect on worshippers as church services have been reduced to small gatherings, moved online or canceled completely.

On March 14, College Area Baptist Church announced it was closing its preschool and daycare and recommended reducing in-person gatherings by utilizing technology to connect with fellow churchgoers.

“We will continue to monitor the situation in this rapidly changing environment. Our latest information will be posted on cabc.org as conditions change. We understand the importance of ministries such as small groups, women’s Bible study, men’s Bible study, prayer groups, and other smaller gatherings. We also understand this can be an unsettling time for many,” wrote Pastor Carlton Harris. “As I teach in each membership class, remember that the church is not a building, but the people of God. Let’s intentionally seek to stay connected through our online environment as we utilize the gift of technology during this uncertain time. Reach out to one other via phone, text, email, and social media.”

On March 13, Faith Presbyterian Church announced it was closing its campus through March 31 and its preschool through April 6.

“As a family of faith, we are exploring ways to stay connected even as we are not together in person. Keep a cool head and a warm heart. May the peace of Christ be with you,” read the statement signed by Pastor Sam Codington.

Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church began livestreaming its masses in English, Spanish and Vietnamese on March 15. The church suspended all daily and weekend masses until the end of the crisis, although parishes in San Diego were encouraged to open longer hours for personal visitation, intermittent recitations of the Rosary, and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Confessions are now held by appointment only. New hours and masses are posted to the website sdcatholic.org.

School responses

In College Area, no action to the coronavirus outbreak is more noticeable than that of SDSU, which ended face-to-face instruction for most classes on March 13 and all classes, including labs, by March 20. Most classes this semester will be finished online. Because classes continued online, SDSU remained “fully open” and faculty and staff continue going to campus to work.

Student housing also remains open, although SDSU is allowing residents who want to move out and continue their course work online from home after spring break to do so and is also offering reimbursement for the remainder of the spring term for both their housing and meal plans.

“As students are making spring break plans, we will support those who choose not to return to campus and opt to complete their academic semester from a distance,” the school stated in an SDSU News Center report. “Students may also choose to stay through the end of the semester and will continue to receive support, as the campus will remain open.”

SDSU also canceled most campus and athletic events. Explore SDSU, GradFest and Student Success Fee Programs are among the canceled events and all non-essential public events on campus scheduled between March 12 and April 8 are canceled or postponed. SDSU also decided to cancel the opening event for the March 21 Native and Indigenous Healing Garden.

The Mountain West board of directors suspended all spring sport competitions indefinitely. In conjunction with that decision, SDSU and the Athletics Department immediately suspended game competition for its spring sports, and are suspending all team activities, including practices. Fans who have purchased advanced tickets to spring sports may receive a refund by contacting the San Diego State ticket office at 619-283-7378.

Regarding May commencement ceremonies, SDSU will make a decision regarding any changes to the traditional format no later than March 20, the school stated. No plans currently exist to cancel commencement. Any changes will be communicated at a later time.

On March 13, San Diego Unified School District announced it was closing all schools effective Monday, March 16. SDUSD tentetively plans to reopen schools April 6.

In a letter to parents, Harriett Tubman Village Charter School Principal Ryan Woodard stated, “While no Tubman resident has been diagnosed with the coronavirus, in an abundance of caution, Tubman is being proactive in its response to close school in order to prevent the potential spread of the virus.” 

The school closures include all academic, athletic and extracurricular activities. Campuses will be deep cleaned during the closure. 

Woodard’s letter also stated that Tubman teachers and faculty created “enrichment experiences” that students can access during the closure. Parents received a separate communication on how to access the materials, which are not a substitute for classroom instruction. 

“Our goal is to offer opportunities for students to access enrichment, practice skills and have structure to the day,” Woodard stated.

—Póngase en contacto con el editor Jeff Clemetson en [email protected].