TULSA, Okla. — As many of us try to navigate this new normal, people are using social media as a hub to come together and help each other.
Local PR guru and former television journalist Diane White knows a thing or two about connecting people and promoting businesses.
"I'm just sitting there like, I need to do something," White said.
Like so many, she's worried about the financial impact the coronavirus outbreak will have on local business owners and their employees.
"I wanted a one stop place where everyone could go post their business where people could go and find out who's open, who's got online ordering," White said. "I mean, if you're going to do retail therapy, do it from a local store that has online or you know, you can help a local business."
The Facebook page created just this week now has thousands of followers posting questions, ordering products, and connecting with businesses trying to stay afloat.
"I really honestly did not think it would blow up this quickly, and I'm so happy that it is, and it tells me that people needed a place to share their business, to share their services or whatever it is their doing," White said.
Restaurant owners now turning to delivery and curbside pick up to keep things going.
"This is tough times for everybody, and we'd like for all the locals here to support all the local businesses that are staying open," said Mehdi Kehzri, with Ti Amo Ristorante Italiano. "Help us out. Help the staff keep it going."
"Monday was hard. I thought 'Oh my gosh. How, are we ever going to cope with this?'" said Nancy Bruce with Lambrusco'z Deli. "And Tuesday, I woke up and said, 'Wait a minute, this is what I do.'"
"Hopefully, we can all get through this together and move forward," said Rob Aloiso with Mondo's Ristorante Italian.
And its not just businesses. Groups are now popping up across Facebook, connecting people to resources for just about anything they might need.
Be Good/Do Good is another group bringing people together. The posts are offering assistance in a variety of ways such as, connecting volunteers to those who need help, offering ideas to parents stuck homeschooling, and posting mental health resources as people cope with uncertainty.
These new groups are offering a way to take back control and use social media for good.
"So, I really wanted it to be a resource and a place of positivity," White said. "Let's keep each other going and get through this together."
If you are out there helping people or you need help, we want to hear from you and share what you're doing in our "Ways 2 help".
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