Great Bend Chamber Coffees are going virtual in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Starting with this week’s coffee hosted by TCI Answering Service, “at 9:30 Thursday morning you can grab your cup of coffee and join us from home or office on the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Facebook page,” said Megan Barfield. “Watch the week’s host business share all of the great things they’re continuing to do for this great community and the customers they serve. And just like our normal in-person Chamber Coffee attendees, those watching the Live Coffee will have a chance to ask questions of the host, listen to that week’s announcements and yes, win door prizes!”

Live Facebook-only chamber coffees will be held over the next four to eight weeks in alignment with the Centers for Disease Control, local, state and federal authorities’ recommendations, including Kansas Governor Laura Kelly’s executive order.

“Routinely, our Chamber Coffees draw in 45-60 people each week, making the CDC-encouraged social distancing impossible. As we continue to monitor and evaluate the updates put forth from the aforementioned organizations, we will make adjustments as called for,” Barfield said.

“Is this ideal? No.

“Will we miss seeing the faces of our coffee friends? Absolutely.

“Is it worth exposing someone we love to something they can’t protect themselves against? Definitely not.

Take care of each other. Let’s all do our part to help our neighbors, including our business community. At a time when people are being encouraged to stay home as much as possible and avoid gatherings of 10 or more, we have an opportunity to still support our businesses in many ways. This Thursday is one of those ways. Share our Live stream from Facebook and we can come together in a safe manner.” 

This week’s business host is 2019 Business of the Year TCI Answering Service, owned by Shelly Peacock.