We are now a few weeks into the COVID-19 crisis here in Polk County, and now that a full shelter-in-place order has been put out by our government officials, we're likely looking at a few more weeks of being homebound with our families. Sure, for the first few days it might have felt pretty nice...plenty of time to catch up on movies, enjoy long days in your loungewear, and not having to leave the house. However, it gets old pretty quickly, especially if you have kids at home.

So, EZ Roofing Systems is here to come to your rescue! Here are some fun ways to spice up the days at home, and make quarantine a time for making good memories with your family (and not just memories of Netflix). 

Theme Your Day Around the Theme Parks! 

Plenty of families saw their Spring Break plans of hanging out at Disney World or experiencing the fun of Legoland go down the drain quickly as Coronavirus loomed over us all like a dark cloud. While you can't experience the parks right now, you can bring some of the fun home! Thanks to technology like YouTube you can experience the "rides" from your living room couch. Make a full day of it! Start out by working together to recreate your favorite theme park meal at home, enjoy a treat that you associate with the park (you can order Mickey Ear ice cream through your local big box store now!) and spend some time on the rides as a family. Was Legoland your destination? Those rides are online too! Wrap up the day with a Lego building challenge and some fresh from your kitchen apple fries! 

Make Your Backyard a Destination 

If you have a pool, this is pretty simple. Set it up like a getaway! Put out your best pool furniture and accessories, keep a stock of fun drinks and snacks on hand in coolers by the pool, and make it a point to actually schedule a time to "go" to your pool. Organize pool games for your kids, order some fun new pool floats and toys/activities online, and make it your own personal water getaway. Don't have a pool? Your backyard can be just as fun. Sprinklers, obstacle courses, grill outs, etc. can be made "special" just by putting in a bit of effort. A great idea we're seeing from families with kids? A backyard campout, complete with s'mores, hot dogs, and late night stories. The temps are perfect for enjoying it without being miserable before sunrise. 

Go Out and Enjoy Yourself...from Your Car. 

While you can't go out to stores, restaurants, etc. right now, you can go out and drive. Plenty of neighborhoods are doing "bear hunts" by placing teddy bears in windows, and others are putting together egg hunts for Easter in the same way. Whatever your scavenger hunt includes, make it fun by putting together al list of places you want to stop and get meals and treats throughout your day. Many of our favorite local hot spots are offering drive through or curbside pickup. You'll be enjoying time out of the house, and supporting our local business owners at the same time! 

We know this isn't an ideal time for our friends and neighbors right now, but know that we are here alongside you, doing our best to keep things as encouraging as possible and making the most of these days. All of us here at EZ. Roofing Systems know that Polk County will bounce back stronger than ever when this is over, and we'll all have a better appreciation for our jobs, our family, and our community. Stay safe and stay well! 

COVID-19, or Coronavirus, is now a worldwide pandemic, and as it starts to have a greater affect on us here in the US, many business owners and employers are worried about how they'll stay afloat, and how they will continue to pay employees on staff. See, employers don't just see their staff as faces in a crowd. They see mortgages that need to be paid, mouths that need to be fed, and vehicles that need fuel in order to get to jobs, doctors appointments, and more. The pressure on employers in general is high, but for small, local businesses, it can be crushing during a time of crisis such as the one we face now. 

Those of us here in Polk County are facing days, or even weeks, of quarantine at home and with bars, restaurants, and other social gathering sites off limits, it's easy to hole up in our houses with grocery delivery and Netflix and wait for everything to blow over. However, if we fully pull back from our local businesses, they'll have no choice but to close their doors long-term, and THAT will punch our economy hard enough that we ourselves feel it as life returns to normal. So, what can we do as friends and neighbors to make sure our local businesses continue to survive (or even thrive!) without putting ourselves or others at risk? 

• Purchase gift cards! Gift cards and gift certificates don't require that you use them now, but the money goes into the pocket of the business owner and lets them keep the lights on. Consider purchasing a few as early birthday or holiday gifts for friends or loved ones, or buy a few for yourself to use throughout the coming months. If the business offers curbside pickup or delivery options, using the gift cards for those services can be a win-win. You get an easy dinner after being cooped up with the family all day, and local businesses can continue forward. 

• If businesses offer pickup or delivery options, use them! Many local restaurants and service providers are offering this for a limited time even if it's not usually in their list of provided options. They'll bring food out to your car in a secure manner, or deliver it to your front door. From dry cleaning and tax paperwork, to dinner from your favorite local joint, you can continue with life in a semi-normal state without compromising your own health or the health of others around you.

•  Take advantage of discounts and promotions. To keep customers coming in the door (or rather, pulling up to the curb), many businesses are offering special promotions or discounts for this time frame. Take advantage of them while they last. You get a great deal, and the business gets to keep at least a percentage of their income. 

• Shop local when possible. We know it's easy to click that button for the large-scale delivery services and big box stores, but the local grocery store down the street hasn't had a customer all day. Your order will be one click among millions if you choose the big box store, but could put food on the table for the local business owner. If you can, shop local during this time. Many stores are providing pickup options they wouldn't other wise make available, so you can still support small business without breaking your social distancing protocol. 

• Don't cancel your regular services if they don't put you and your family at risk. We understand not having in-home services continue during this time, but when it comes to your outdoor providers (exterior pest control, landscaping and lawn services, roofing, pressure washing, pool cleaning...the list could go on!) there is no need to call of your scheduled appointment. These businesses count on you to keep their doors open as well, and having your regularly scheduled service means less impact for the economy as a whole. Plus, you can keep some semblance of "business as usual" in your own home. You can still use your pool, your home will stay in good condition, etc. 

EZ Roofing Systems is here and still serving clients throughout Polk County at this time. We continue to provide the quality, personalized care you've come to know and expect from us. If for some reason you need to reschedule a previously scheduled appointment with us for a roof inspection, or a meeting regarding a roof replacement or repair, please feel free to give us a call and we'll discuss options, alternate dates, etc. Let us all remember that we are in this together as a community, and will make it out on the other side alongside all of our small business owners we depend on to make Polk County what it is.