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.
May 14th
National
Weekly jobless claims total 2.981 million, bringing coronavirus tally to 36.5 million-CNBC. New claims for unemployment insurance totaled 2.981 million last week. This brings the rolling total during the coronavirus crisis to 36.5 million, though the weekly tally has declined for six straight weeks. Economists had been expecting 2.7 million claims.
What’s your state’s coronavirus reopening plan?-ABC News. The unprecedented economic shutdown has prompted calls to get the economy moving again while raising the issue about how to do so safely. There isn’t a unified approach among states and only non-binding national guidelines. Complicating matters is that the virus is impacting different states, and different counties within those states, in a dramatic way.
States
With Less Driving, State Transportation Departments Face Iffy Road Ahead-Engineering News-Record. The COVID-19-caused falloff in driving, and resulted in a drop in a fuel-tax receipt. That falloff is starting to pose big challenges for state transportation departments as they try to gauge the long-term impact on their budgets and projects.
’50 states and 50 different approaches:’ States scramble to hire COVID-19 contact tracers-USA Today. Other than keeping stay-at-home orders firmly in place, public health officials say rapid testing and contact tracing give states the best chance to slow the virus and restart the economy. And as states ease stay-at-home restrictions, testing and tracing the contacts of infected people will become crucial.
Missouri
St. Louis area construction industry protocols for reopening-Fox 2 News. St. Louis County announced its protocols and guidelines for reopening instruction. These guidelines, which are mainly for the construction industry, manufacturing facilities, and residential repair services, include best practices for employees, in-home repairs and social distancing.
New Jersey
N.J. To Reopen Non-Essential Construction, Allow Retail Curbside Pickup Starting Monday-CBS New York. During his coronavirus pandemic media briefing on Wednesday, Gov. Phil Murphy announced that he is signing an executive order that will allow several businesses to resume operations. This order will be effective Monday morning at 6 a.m., under social distancing guidelines.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Supreme Court Strikes Down Stay-at-Home Order-New York Times. The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the extension of the state’s stay-at-home order. The decision, by a 4-to-3 majority, was a high-profile challenge of the emergency authority of a statewide official during the coronavirus pandemic.
Industry
Using lessons learned, Army engineers build enhanced care site in DC-Army News Service. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers unveiled its latest alternate care site in the nation’s capital Monday. Constructed inside the Washington Convention Center, the makeshift hospital has more than 430 patient beds to assist local hospitals.
What contractors. need to know about the Paycheck Protection Program-Construction Dive. One of PPP’s biggest benefits is that the loans are eligible for forgiveness as long as the proceeds are spent on payroll and other certain expenses. While this sounds like a stop-gap solution for many businesses, the program’s requirements have confused some employers to the point that they are considering returning the proceeds or laying off employees.
Contact our editors if you have COVID-19 news impacting the AEC industry to share.