Eugene’s business forecast for 2020 just got hazier, following Governor Brown’s directive to cancel large public gatherings as a precaution against COVID-19.
The Eugene Symphony and Eugene Opera have both canceled or postponed events, and there’s also concern that the Olympic Track and Field Trials could be called off.
All of this hurts local restaurants and shops that depend on revenue from large crowds.
Eugene’s Chamber of Commerce has also canceled or rescheduled events. Brittany Quick-Warner is Chamber President.

“It’s really hard to know right now what the impact’s gonna be," says Chamber President Brittany Quick-Warner. "I think sometimes that sense of hysteria sends us into a spiral, so we’re trying to avoid that.
"But we also know that this is unchartered waters, we don’t know what’s going to happen, we don’t know how it’s going to impact the local economy and so we’d rather put people’s health and safety first.”
Quick-Warner says people can still support businesses through gift cards. She encourages people to back non-profits whose fundraising is also being disrupted by coronavirus protocols.
Copyright 2020, KLCC.