Letâs focus on keeping local businesses afloat Weâre sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later. Dismiss February 14, 2021 â 10.30pm Save Normal text size Credit:Illustration: Michael Leunig To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@theage.com.au. Please include your home address and telephone number. COVID-19 Letâs focus on keeping local businesses afloat I am dismayed to be back in lockdown but given the circumstances and possible consequences â a significant and rapid spread of a highly virulent strain of the virus â I am prepared to do what it takes. It is not helpful for various industry bodies to be quick to tell me what damage this will do to an already battered Victorian economy. What would be helpful is for these organisations to use their considerable communications expertise to tell me what I can do to help local businesses that are hit hard. The government is being nimble in introducing restrictions. We consumers need to be equally nimble to support small business.