Service companies are the backbone of the economy and Housecall Pro is committed to doing everything we can to help during the Coronavirus pandemic.
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Ian Heidt
CEO, Housecall Pro
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March 19, 2020 update
As of yesterday March 18, the WHOreported 191,127 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 7,807 deaths across 161 countries/territories/areas, an increase of 15,123 cases, 786 deaths, and 1 country from the previous day.
For the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 epidemic, China’s National Health Commission reported no new domestic cases. There were 34 new reported cases, but all were imported from other countries.
Here in the US. The Johns Hopkins CSSE dashboard is reporting a total of 9,415 coronavirus cases and 150 deaths in the United States as of 7:30am this morning on March 19.
This represents a 66.5% increase in reported cases and a 29.3% increase in deaths from yesterday.
US Response
At a press conference yesterday, President Trump announced that he is invoking the Defense Production Act which enables the federal government to compel private companies to manufacture materials, supplies, and equipment during crises. In this instance, the Act will be used to increase the supply of personal protective equipment, such as masks, respirators, and gloves, and ventilators needed to treat coronoavirus patients.
The White House also announced the deployment of hospital ships USNS Mercy and Comfort to provide additional hospital capacity for New York and California as well as field hospitals.
President Trump signed the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act”
New study
American adults of all ages — not just those in their 70s, 80s and 90s — are being seriously sickened by the coronavirus.
The report, issued yesterday (Wednesday) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found that — as in other countries — the oldest patients had the greatest likelihood of dying and of being hospitalized. But of the 508 patients known to have been hospitalized, 38 percent were notably younger — between 20 and 54. And nearly half of the 121 patients who were admitted to intensive care units were adults under 65, the C.D.C. reported.
Social distancing
has increased globally, including among countries and regions that have not yet reported many cases. The call to “flatten the curve” continues.
US economic impact
In the United States, enhanced social distancing measures are having far-reaching effects.
There are reports that applications for unemployment across the country are climbing as workers are laid off or working significantly reduced hours due to social distancing efforts and other impacts.
According to one report, for example, In Ohio, 78,000 people filed for unemployment in a 3-day period after Ohio instituted statewide social distancing measures, compared to only 6,500 for the entire previous week. The volume of applications in New York, New Jersey, and Oregon was so great that it crashed the states’ computer servers. The service industry, including restaurants, and tourism industry appear to be among the hardest hit as people increasingly avoid public spaces.
As the coronavirus pandemic shuts down business across the county, a surge in newly laid-off workers is crashing states' unemployment websites.
Ohio - more than 48,000 people applied for jobless benefits during the first two days of this week — 26 times the amount from the week before.
Pennsylvania - about 70,000 people sought unemployment aid in a single day — six times the total for the entire previous week.
Kentucky - the state's unemployment assistance site and phone lines went down amid a fourfold surge in applications.
Oregon - unemployment website went down on Monday, just as the state's governor was announcing a closure of bars and restaurants.
New York - on Tuesday received 21,000 calls from people asking about unemployment benefits — a tenfold increase from the week before. Website visits tripled, periodically crashing the system.
Blood donations
At this time the number of blood donations has been dramatically reduced due to the implementation of social distancing and the cancellation of blood drives.
Those interested in donating blood may contact the following organizations to find a local blood collection site and to schedule an appointment:
AABB: www.aabb.org
America’s Blood Centers: www.americasblood.org
American Red Cross: www.redcrossblood.org
Armed Services Blood Program: www.militaryblood.dod.mil
Blood Centers of America: www.bca.coop
Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans
List of states & contiguous counties that are eligible for SBA loans at this time.
https://www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance/coronavirus-covid-19
TONIGHT’S TOPIC
How to Responsibly book and perform an essential service
Learn what you should be asking and not asking during service calls at this time and download a free script template.
Who qualifies as essential?
This has varied by state, county, and sometimes even city. We are seeing a pattern of announcements being made and then details following within 24 hours. You need to refer to the government entity that announced the initial “essential business only” order. Go to government websites to find the order yourself. There is no one answer for all areas.
In general, however, what we are seeing is plumbers/ electricians and those who provide services necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences and essential businesses is a common.
Bay Area Shelter in Place order
Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, Essential Activities, and Essential Businesses;
Pennsylvania
Essential services and sectors include but are not limited to food processing, agriculture, industrial manufacturing, feed mills, “construction”, trash collection, grocery and household goods (including convenience stores), “home repair”/hardware and auto repair, pharmacy and other medical facilities, biomedical and health care, post offices and shipping outlets, insurance, banks, gas stations, laundromats, veterinary clinics and pet stores, warehousing, storage, and distribution, public transportation, and hotel and commercial lodging.
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Legal disclaimer
Housecall Pro is offering the Coronavirus Evening Update for Home Service Businesses for informational purposes only and to foster thoughtful communication and discussion regarding the COVID-19 pandemic; Housecall Pro is not offering advisory services or otherwise advising or representing any members of the group invited to participate. Housecall Pro is not offering legal, medical or other professional advice in the Coronavirus Evening Update and makes no representations or warranties regarding the content of the Coronavirus Evening Update. Participants should obtain independent advice relating to their businesses and their particular circumstances.
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