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CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

Updated: 5/21/2020

BE PRO BE PROUD

The current crisis has made it clear residential construction is not only needed, but an essential tool in the future economy of S.C. It’s also apparent the growing need for a skilled workforce. The HBASC and associated trade associations have formed a powerful collaboration to promote skilled trades: It’s called Be Pro Be Proud SC. This career-awareness campaign has already been successful in Arkansas since 2016, and we are working closely with the original team to become only the SECOND state to launch our own mobile workshop. While our website BeProBeProudSC.org is under construction, check out https://www.beprobeproud.org/ to see what we’ll be doing. The mobile workshop is being custom-built by SPEVCO, and is a state-of-the-art, military-grade, double-expandable 53-foot, 18-wheeler that will house simulators to be deployed across the state. The workshop is a well-lit, colorful, animated, and temperature-controlled environment that students will be excited to experience.

ACCELERATE SC

For a full powerpoint presentation, click here.

PPE ACCESS

A major concern is business access to Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), which is why the CHBA is working diligently with material suppliers to ensure our industry has all the necessary safety supplies to operate. As a reminder, The Small Business Administration resumed accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications from participating lenders on Monday, April 27. You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, or Farm Credit System institution that is participating. CHBA member Source Building Supply & Design has been working non-stop locating and vetting potential suppliers for both N95 and KN95 self-priming, antiparticle respirators (masks) as well as other sanitary items currently in high demand. Specifically, they are looking to help small to midsize business that need these items that cannot buy or do not need massive quantities. If your business needs these products, please visit their website here.

WAYS TO GIVE BACK

The CHBA has worked diligently during this time of uncertainty to ensure the building community stays strong and an essential business designation.

1. Drop your extra, unopened surgical/N95 masks, protective eyeware, face guards and face shields, sterile gloves, hand sanitzer, industrial cleaning wipes and thernometers at a Builders First Source location. Ashley will pick them up every Thursday morning from Builder First Source and take them to MUSC. If you have questions, call Ashley at 803.412.5144.

So far, we have collected: 144 safety goggles, 1,400 disposable gloves, 505 safety masks and 40 disposable lab coats. Let's keep this going!

2. Help support the Builder Campaign. The CHBA's marketing campaign has focused on how the home building industry is prepared to meet the needs of the homebuyer with purchasing a home virtually from tour to contract. We ran ads with CUMULUS and The Post & Courier, both online, in print and through social media. We would like to keep the message going with your help. Any donation goes directly to the cause. To date, we have raised $7,000 of the $13,610. The closer we get to our goal, the more we send the message to homebuyers. Contact Ashley to support today at 803.412.5144.

OFFICE CLOSING

Due to new recommendations from national and state public heal officials, the CHBA office will be closed until May 18^th. The Association will continue day-to-day operations remotely, however meetings, classes, and events will be postponed until public health officials announce it is safe for public gatherings. Be sure to check our Facebook page regularly for updates from the CHBA office. CLICK HERE

EVENT POSTPONEMENTS & CANCELLATIONS

Events, Meetings & Educational Classes POSTPONED:

Solar Class rescheduled for June 9th

Golf Tournament: The new TENTATIVE date is June 30^th at Patriots Point.

March Breakfast with the Builder will now be combined with July 21^st BwtB

Codes (IRC Book) Updates rescheduled for July 23^rd

Second Chances Lunch & Learn rescheduled for September 8^th

May Breakfast with the Builder will now be combined with September 15^th BwtB

NEW Clay Shoot Tournament TENTATIVE Date: September 22^nd at Kiawah Shooting Club

Events, Meetings & Educational Classes CANCELLED:

5/5 New Home Bus Tour

5/14 Healthcare 101

5/20 Builder/Inspector Meeting

5/26 General Membership Meeting

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO MEMBERS

Please Follow CDC Business Guidelines (click here to read online) - the CHBA encourages members to work remotely, restrict operations with person-to-person contact, and follow public health professional recommendations as much as possible.

Organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and WHO have provided the following resources and guidelines regarding preparation for COVID-19 in the workplace:

· Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19 – WHO

· Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) – CDC

· COVID-19 – OSHA

Resources for HBA members are also available on nahb.org. The CHBA, the HBA of SC & NAHB will continue to provide additional updates as we receive them.

"GET BACK TO WORK" PLAN

A federal plan to return to normal is not yet in place, but many states and researchers plan to begin developing that plan. For instance, the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) recently published “National coronavirus response: A road map to reopening,” written by several public health experts. That report recommends:

To gradually move away from a reliance on physical distancing as our primary tool for controlling future spread, we need:

-Better data to identify areas of spread and the rate of exposure and immunity in the population;

-Improvements in state and local health care system capabilities, public-health infrastructure for early outbreak identification, case containment, and adequate medical supplies; and

-Therapeutic, prophylactic, and preventive treatments and better-informed medical interventions that give us the tools to protect the most vulnerable people and help rescue those who may become very sick.

HELPFUL LINKS

COVID-19 and South Carolina's Economy by Joey Von Nessen

Cares Act

Coronavirus Webinar Series

SC Department of Commerce's COVID-19 Business Resource Center

Evaluating Your Contracts in the Wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic

CDC's Best Jobsite Practices Video

Department of Labor Allows Employers to Weigh in on Family Leave

Webinar: "COVID-19 Update for your Workplace"

“A Builder’s Guide to COVID-19”

Please reach out to any of us at the CHBA office should you have additional questions.

Patrick L. Arnold