#Keep your distance, staying at home, and avoiding crowds are the most appropriate actions now to reduce the spread of Covid-19. However, it turns out that the side effect is not only that the virus has limited space for movement, but also for small traders. Not a few of these micro actors have experienced a decline in income. Such as small stalls, booths and food carts, snack stalls, home salons, and many more. Some even had to temporarily close their businesses, due to difficulties balancing cash flow.
We all know that this country's economy is largely supported by the MSME sector. So what happens if MSMEs weaken? Of course it will weaken the national economy too. Data from the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs (Kemenkop UKM) shows that 949 MSME cooperative actors have been affected by the pandemic. this MSME. As can be seen in the diagram below.
Seeing facts like this, we all want to do something. However, if we talk about the national economy, this seems like a tough matter. But actually, we can all help our country's economy. The way to do this is by starting to help micro and small businesses around us. Like this, let's take a look.
1. Shopping at the Neighbor's Stall
Shopping in supermarkets is fun because it is cool and more spacious. So you can wash your eyes as well. But if there are things you need that you can get at a neighbor's shop, it's a good idea to prioritize those first. Shopping at a neighbor's shop is the easiest form of support we can do to help micro businesses keep running. Apart from that, shopping at neighboring stalls also saves costs.
2. Order Food via Online Motorbike Taxi
When you can't go anywhere because of the PSBB (Large-Scale Social Restrictions) regulations, but you really want your favorite food from your regular food seller, what will you do? Just order via the online motorcycle taxi application. It's like rowing two islands, by ordering food via an online motorcycle taxi application, you are not only helping MSMEs, but also helping online motorcycle taxi drivers to continue earning an income. This way, you can still comply with the PSBB by staying #athome while enjoying your favorite food. Everyone's happy, right?
3. Tip More
There is no better time to help and support each other than times like these. The form of assistance can also be in the form of more tips. Giving extra tips is a way to thank and provide support to those who still have to work outside the home. For example, online motorcycle taxi drivers who deliver your food or packages, officers who deliver gallons or gas cylinders, or anyone else who helps you.
Apart from your tips being able to help increase their income, this can also make these people feel a little comforted from the stress of existing difficulties. Giving some of our sustenance to them is also a form of our gratitude to God. So don't hesitate to give more to those who need it.
4. Buy credit from a seller near your house
Currently there are many choices for buying telephone credits, data packages or electricity tokens. But in order to help small traders, especially now, prioritize buying digital products through sellers near your house. Even though it doesn't mean much to you, believe me, to them it means a lot.
5. Recommend
You can also help MSMEs you know by recommending their shops or products to your friends. If you have a regular customer who sells delicious frozen dim sum, or a fruit seller at low prices who can deliver orders to your home, or even an AC service service that you usually call, you can recommend them through posts on your social media or via chat groups. Support like this, even though it doesn't cost any money at all, is very meaningful for entrepreneurs in the current situation of lack of buyers. You can also give a good rating to the online shop as a form of support.
6. Continue Subscribe
If you have been subscribing to buy vegetables and raw food ingredients from regular greengrocers, or always buying bread from sellers who frequently travel around the complex, or if you have been subscribing to laundry services by the kilo, it would be a good idea for you to continue buying their products and services. Because there may be many consumers besides you who have stopped subscribing. By continuing to buy their products or services, you are supporting their economy to keep running.
No matter how small the form of support, it will mean a lot to those who have no choice but to continue earning a living by selling goods or services. By cultivating a spirit of mutual support like this, we all hope that all parties can get through this pandemic well, including small traders and MSMEs.