Letter to the Editor / Aftermath of Covid-19

By Erin Rust

In the aftermath of Covid-19, many will struggle to re-build their lives. Here in Key West this process will likely take longer. This is because our local economy relies heavily on the tourism industry; an industry that will be slow in recovery. Folks around the world will be anxious to get back to work and get their children back in school. Travel may not be a top priority for many. In the past weeks, I have seen my friends struggle. As restaurants and attractions closed their doors to keep us safe, the number of unemployed residents skyrocketed. 

Once the threat has passed, I challenge those of us who remained receiving our paychecks to plan a staycation. When the shutters come off Duval Street, I want to be there to support my friends as they get back to normal. Take a few days off, or even just the weekend, and experience all the things that draw crowds to this island. Re-discover why you first fell in love with this eclectic place. Book a parasailing tour, rent a jet ski, hire a seaplane. Hit up your old favorite eateries and saloons. Instead of giving your money to a grocery chain, consider ordering out and tipping the staff. After business begins to return and people begin to consider a weekend getaway, reach out to your family up north who have been meaning to come down for years. Offer to put them up at a B&B and show them around town. Get them out on a sunset cruise or rent a cart and go people watch. Introduce your family to our paradise. 

Like any storm that has come through before, we will weather this together and we will recover together. This is our opportunity to become tourists in our own home and give Key West the kick-start it will need. We need to be the tourists while there aren’t any.

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