Chambers of Commerce still available

Despite all the COVID-19 turbulence, the local Chambers of Commerce are open for business.

Just not in the traditional sense.

As far as literal doors being literally unlocked and literally open, no, the Roosevelt County and Clovis/Curry County Chambers are not open that way.

But they are open in the most important way for members — they’re available.

“Our staff is working remotely. But we’re answering a lot of calls and we’re helping a lot of people,” Karl Terry, executive director of the Roosevelt County Chamber said Tuesday afternoon, hours after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham added New Mexico to the list of states under stay-at-home orders.

“We’re open for business, but we’re working remotely,” said Ernie Kos, executive director of the Clovis/Curry County Chamber. “We’re busy working from home. Oh my gosh, are we (busy).”

Kos was so busy late Tuesday afternoon that she only had a few fleeting minutes to speak on the phone while on a break from a conference call related to the current pandemic. It’s been that kind of March.

Safety is a priority for everyone, even the Chambers, in these strange and challenging days. This past week, circumstances were dialed up a notch out of necessity, due to the virus’ spread that has surged over the 100-case mark in New Mexico. On Monday afternoon, Lujan Grisham issued the stay-at-home order, which took effect at 8 a.m. Tuesday and runs until April 10, but excludes “essential” businesses.

“It’s pretty obvious that we’re not essential,” Terry said.

But he remains busy, and is working in ways that 21st-century technology thankfully allows.

“I’ve been in more online meetings and conference calls this week than I have in my whole life,” Terry said.

On a personal note, Terry said his wife and a Roosevelt Chamber employee have immune-system issues that make it even more crucial for them to work from home and stay isolated.

As Terry stated, though, the Roosevelt Chamber remains busy. In fact, he wants to get out the word to members that he is readily available via email ([email protected]) or telephone (575-309-7541) for any members who have questions or need help with anything chamber- or business-related.

Terry is also encouraging members to visit the Chamber website, which he said has links that offer resources for member businesses.

“It’s a one-stop source,” he said.

Kos, too, encourages members to visit the Clovis/Curry County website and Facebook page, which also offer help, including 800 numbers for questions regarding the governor’s stay-at-home order.

Regarding that, both Chamber directors have said there has been some confusion among business owners wondering if they should or should not be open.

“Yes, we have received several calls from our members,” Kos said. “So we sent (members) the official list of the governor’s orders.”

But there are some businesses, Terry said, that seem to fall into gray areas.

Terry noted, for example, businesses that sell household items.

“I can interpret that to mean any retailer’s sales,” Terry said. “It’s really murky. So there’s a fog of war here that’s distressing our local businesses.”

That is why following the Chambers’ websites and Facebook pages — along with those of local news organizations — regularly can prove helpful.

“It’s been something different every day since this all started,” Terry said. “It’s been crazy; it’s insane.”