DBIA’s mission is to provide the best resources available to help inform and empower our industry. In these uncertain times, that mission is even more important. As our communities fight the Coronavirus, we are working to find the best information available to help design-build teams navigate the unknown. This daily newsletter will provide the latest COVID-19 news for the AEC community.
Design-builders deliver in times of crisis and we will again.
If you have COVID-19 news impacting the AEC industry from your organization, state or community please email us.
April 15th
National
Trump walks back total authority claim-The Associated Press. Trump appeared to walk back his claim of total authority to reopen the country, telling reporters that he would leave it to governors to determine the right time.
Coronavirus testing hits dramatic slowdown in U.S.- Politico. The number of coronavirus tests analyzed each day by commercial labs in the U.S. plummeted by more than 30 percent over the past week, even though new infections are still surging in many states and officials are desperately trying to ramp up testing so the country can reopen.
States
Arizona
Construction in Arizona continues during COVID-19 spread, but with health precautions-Fox 10 Phoenix. Construction in the valley continues on as it’s been labeled essential work, but some companies are still seeing a hit on their business during the COVID-19 era.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Recruits 1,000 ‘Contact Tracers’ To Battle COVID-19-NPR. The state of Massachusetts is launching an effort to reach everyone in the state who may have the coronavirus and get them tested and into isolation or treatment if needed. The ambitious goal is to stop — not just slow — the destructive power of COVID-19 through the tedious, yet powerful public health tool called contact tracing.
New York
New York City to manufacture its own coronavirus testing kits-Politico. The city of New York will begin manufacturing its own test kits for the coronavirus and has locked down a supply of 100,000 per week from its own factories and an Indiana-based company, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania House Approves Bill To Reopen Businesses If They Follow CDC Guidelines On Social Distancing-CBS Philadelphia. On Tuesday, PA House lawmakers voted yes to a bill that will allow businesses to reopen, so long as they follow CDC guidelines on social distancing. The bill was met with intense contention as all Democratic lawmakers voted against the measure. Republican lawmakers, however, say it is essential to restart the economy and lower unemployment rates.
Washington
Construction workers sidelined by COVID-19 lobby for restart of their industry-KOMO News. Thousands of unemployed workers who are employed in the state’s construction industry are advocating for a return to work after being sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Industry
Construction trade unions take different approaches to keeping workers safe during pandemic-Construction Dive. Even when local and state governments began shutting down businesses they deemed nonessential, most construction work was considered essential. Many union representatives were in favor of keeping the construction industry moving forward at first. But now there’s been a shift in opinion once questions were raised about worker safety.
Nearly 40% of Firms Have Laid Off Workers, New AGC Survey Says-Engineering News-Record. It’s been found that nearly 40% of U.S. firms have been forced to lay off employees because of project cancellations and shortages of equipment or materials caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This information was published according to an online survey released on April 10 by AGC.
How prefab can enable the design and construction industry to bring much-needed beds to hospitals, faster-Building Design + Construction. Managing the COVID-19 pandemic—and saving lives—depends largely on the availability of medical supplies, including the capacity of hospitals. Under normal circumstances, large-scale hospital infrastructure typically takes several years to complete. But the rise of prefabrication could expeditiously help the situation.
Contact our editors if you have COVID-19 news impacting the AEC industry to share.