OPINION: You know all those small businesses - hotels, restaurants, bookstores - that make your city cool?

There's a chance they may not survive coronavirus. 

The public's disposable cash has moved from being splashed around town on enjoyment to stockpiling and preparing for a possible 14 days of self-isolation. 

We've all seen the photos of supermarkets overrun and people fighting over toilet paper, but the panic buying hasn't escaped Taranaki. 

While at a New Plymouth supermarket the other night doing my own, albeit minor, peer pressure-induced stock up, I couldn't believe the emptiness of the shelves. 

Bread was gone, only a few bags of pasta remained, and the tinned tomatoes were nowhere to be seen. 

When I got home I was almost forced to break in to my quarantine supplies early for pasta sauce because it slipped my mind to get some for that night's dinner. 

While supermarkets are busier than ever, small businesses are only just starting to feel the pressure as the country starts to hunker down at home.

They need our support.

Early advice from the Treasury indicated the impact of coronavirus could exceed the 2008 Global Financial Crisis.

On Thursday afternoon there were 28 confirmed casesof Covid-19 in New Zealand, two of which were in Taranaki. 

In response, the Government has banned gatherings larger than 500 people, which has seen many local markets postponed for the forseeable future leaving many stallholders out of pocket. 

Many small businesses have taken to their social media accounts to plead with their communities to continue shopping locally. 

And if we still can, while there is no lockdown in place like in other countries, we should. 

Because the next few months, especially for small businesses, are filled with uncertainty. Owners are questioning how they will pay their staff, their mortgage, and their bills when no one is spending money. 

The Government's $12.1b wage subsidy to keep Kiwis employed is a start, but it goes further than that. Business owners don't yet know how long this will last or what the long-term effect will be. 

Some have already had to cut staff. 

So support those businesses in your community who are struggling, and those that live from pay check to pay check, in whatever way you can. 

Get that flat white from the cute, quirky coffee shop down the street, buy books from local bookstores, buy giftcards for your loved ones from small clothing and homeware boutiques, or treat yourself to a 'staycation' in your own city. 

Wherever you can, get your food locally, too.

Get your produce from the farmers' market or, if you want to avoid public gatherings and practise social distancing, swing past their farm and get it from there. 

There are online options, too. 

Support local hospitality businesses by ordering to takeaway or getting it delivered if your have that option. 

If you don't, buy vouchers to treat yourself later on when things have calmed down.

The business will benefit now and you'll benefit later; it'll feel like a free meal because you bought it so long ago.

Be that person that has all of their Christmas shopping done by April and brag it's all been bought locally.

Order items online if stores allow that or buy giftcards to use later or for birthday and Christmas presents. 

Connect with local crafters and business owners on Instagram and Facebook and purchase products through there.  

We are in this together and in front of us is an opportunity to get behind our community and support them when they need it the most in the midst of crisis. 

I hope we all take it. 

If we want those cool hotels, restaurants, and bookstores to still be there when we get through this madness, we have to.