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 21st
National
Market reactions to COVID-19: Stocks decline after historic oil plunge-Market Watch. The major stock fell today after the price of crude oil plunged into negative territory for the first time ever. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by more than 529 points, the S&P 500 by more than 51 points and Nasdaq by more than 89 points.
Coronavirus: New plan would test 30 million per week and cost up to $100 billion, but ‘we’ve got to do it’-CNBC. An ambitious new plan to radically increase the number of coronavirus tests in the United States would see up to 30 million people screened each week and cost up to $100 billion.
US anti-lockdown rallies could cause surge in COVID-19 cases, experts warn-The Guardian. As healthcare workers in Colorado and Pennsylvania staged counter-protests against rightwing anti-quarantine rallies that continue to spread across the US, some experts also warned such rallies could cause a surge in COVID-19 cases.
States
Some Southern states are reopening businesses; US death toll passes 42,000-CNN. Three Southern states are moving to reopen parts of their economies, even as health experts and government leaders debate whether there is sufficient coronavirus testing available to relax restrictions.
New York
Coronavirus: MTA requests additional $3.9B in federal funding-Staten Island Live. The coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on the city’s mass transit system, with thousands of MTA employees sick and ridership dropping to unthinkable lows. Now, the MTA is once again calling on the federal government for help.
Florida
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers complete construction of field hospital at Miami Beach Convention Center-WSVN 7News. In under two weeks, the Miami Beach Convention Center has been transformed into a field hospital and is ready to be used, if need be. On Monday afternoon, the United States Army Corps of Engineers will be handing over the keys to the center to members of the National Guard. The 500,000 square-foot space has been transformed and now holds 450 hospital beds.
Pennsylvania
Wolf to Ease Restrictions on Construction, Vehicle Sales; Protesters at Capitol Want More-NBC Philadelphia. Pennsylvania will ease some restrictions on building construction and vehicle sales, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday as hundreds of protesters defied a ban on mass gatherings to stage an anti-shutdown rally at the Capitol. Wolf said limited building construction work may resume on May 8.
Industry
Industry Finds New Innovations to Stay Ahead of COVID-19-Engineering News-Record. From maintaining social distancing on job sites to meeting new demand for hospitals and sanitation, the industry is having to get more inventive to meet the challenges of COVID-19. But quick turnarounds on new facilities and a surprising willingness to upend job site cultures is offering bright spots in an otherwise grim picture.
Feds on track to begin equal employment opportunity audits-Construction Dive. The White House Office of Management and Budget has approved two new scheduling letters for construction companies with federal contracts. This could also indicate that the OFCCP is getting ready to initiate a new round of audits to check for contractor compliance with EEO laws.
7 Tips for Keeping Your Construction Projects Going During COVID-19-GlobeSt. The construction industry is facing a lot of changes that restrict the ways business is done efficiently. In many areas with shelter in place orders, construction is still considered an essential business, often with caveats, while other areas are more restrictive. But for projects that are moving forward, some items may want to be considered as the project proceeds.
Contact our editors if you have COVID-19 news impacting the AEC industry to share.