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.
March 26th
National
3.3 Million File For Unemployment Claims, Shattering The Record-NPR. Claims for unemployment benefits are spiking across the country as businesses shut down to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Senate passes massive $2 trillion coronavirus spending bill-NBC News. The Senate overwhelmingly passed a massive $2 trillion stimulus package late Wednesday that’s meant to soften the economic blow of the coronavirus pandemic for American workers and businesses.
States
California
California coronavirus cases doubling every three to four days as US death toll nears 1,000-CNN. Officials are racing to get a handle on the novel coronavirus as the number of deaths nears 1,000 in the United States and cases in two of the hardest-hit states — California and New York — quickly multiply.
New York
Virus Rules Let Construction Workers Keep Building Luxury Towers-New York Times. The laborers, deemed “essential” by New York, work side by side, often sharing portable toilets that rarely have soap or hand sanitizer.
Massachusetts
Baker, Walsh are at odds over coronavirus construction ban-Boston Globe. In a rare rift, Governor Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh appeared increasingly at odds Wednesday over whether construction work should continue amid the state’s coronavirus crisis.
Nevada
Raiders Stadium Worker Tests Positive for Coronavirus, Construction to Continue- Bleacher Report. A construction worker helping build the Las Vegas Raiders’ new stadium has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to Josh Dubow of the Associated Press. While the worker’s current condition was not noted, Dubow reports they had not been in close contact with others on-site and construction will continue on the soon-to-open Allegiant Stadium.
Washington State
New Inslee edict: Most construction work is not authorized during coronavirus shutdown-Seattle Times. In a major clarification to the statewide stay-at-home order, Gov. Jay Inslee’s office said Wednesday evening that workers on most commercial and residential construction sites should stay home to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Industry
‘Virtual town hall’ on coronavirus offers contractors tips amid uncertainty-Construction Dive. As part of a virtual town hall meeting yesterday, Fieldwire assembled a panel of experts who spoke about how the coronavirus pandemic has affected their construction businesses so far and how to keep employees safe in an environment of uncertainty.
‘It’s Pretty Apocalyptic’: Construction Sites Shutting Down Even As Most Cities Deem Them Essential-Bisnow. “It does seem the impact of the coronavirus is spreading and really the biggest threat is economic uncertainty as opposed to political action. We’re just in uncharted territory. We haven’t seen an economic slowdown that started the way this one did or moved so quickly.”
Contact our editors if you have COVID-19 news impacting the AEC industry to share.