Man alive, some of us are over-reacting. Some of us aren't doing enough. But we can see that the vast majority of US Citizens are attempting to stay informed, are taking it seriously, and maintaining a disposition that steers clear of panic. We are optimistic and we are being proactive.
- How does COVID-19 compare to the swine flu H1N1, and is that a fair comparison?
- How might it affect the construction industry?
- How might it affect the residential-only design build niche?
- How do I know if my project will be on pause?
We are so proud to be a part of a community that is banding together and choosing faith over fear. Nonetheless, we know what it feels like to have many unanswered questions. And we are taking responsibility for the proactivity we can exercise.
In this article, we will join you in the discussion. New information is flowing to the public every minute, so we do not hope to be comprehensive, but to let you know that we are here, we are with you, we are thankful for you. And together, we will prevail.
How does COVID-19 compare to the swine flu H1N1?
From April 2009 to April 2010, about 60,000 people were infected with the swine flue and of those infected, about 12,500 died in the United States.
So far, there are several hundred confirmed cases of the coronavirus, and the death toll in the United States is less than 50. At least 38 of those are in Washington, and at least 29 of those are in the same nursing home.
We are thankful that the measures taken to secure our communities and stop or slow the spread of the Coronavirus are being executed with speed, so that our families and especially the elderly in our lives who are most vulnurable, are kept safe and healthy.
...is that a fair comparison?
It has been confirmed that the Coronavirus is more contagious than the swine flu was, so that puts our communities at a higher risk of it spreading quickly if we are not careful. We need to ensure that we are proactive and conscientious.
The CDC's numbers on the swine flu (60,000 infected and 12,500 dead) account for an entire year of documented cases, approximately April 2009 to April 2010.
It is therefore unfair to "compare numbers" at such an early stage. We grieve with the families who have already lost loved ones. Simultaneously, we are thankful that the numbers are low across the country.
“Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody else expects of you. Never excuse yourself. Never pity yourself. Be a hard master to yourself-and be lenient to everybody else.”
― Henry Ward Beecher
How might it affect the Construction Industry?
Commercial projects are at a higher risk of being shut down in part because they have large job sites with dozens of workers. They often have two to five trades on the jobsite simultaneously, putting all tradesmen at a higher risk of infection.
Multi-family projects are in a similar boat as the commercial and large-scale business projects by virtue of their size.
How might it affect the residential-only design build niche?
Thankfully, even large single family remodels are tiny in proportion to most of the construction going on in any given city.
In a perfect world, you're in a position to have the same crew in your home on a daily basis, so that means that you've hired a contractor that does 90%+ of the work in house.
On the other hand, if you've hired a Paper General Contractor (GC), then you're wise to take pause and discuss the project schedule since every trade will be a different company than the last and you'll have a much more broad spectrum of people in your home, leading potentially to a higher risk.
How Do I Know If My Project Will Be On Pause?
It's always a good idea to have your contractor on speed dial.
If you are just beginning demo, or if you're just breaking ground, ensure that every adult person in the home has the cell phone number of the superintended or project lead in their cell phone. That way, any one can reach out at any time.
Except in the case that you've got a person displaying cold or flu symptoms, most projects will carry on, uninterrupted.
Zooming out for a moment here, if you're waiting on materials that are impacted by closed borders, then yes, you'll be on pause until materials can be obtained.
What is Teknik Doing To Protect The Health of It's Clients?
At Teknik Design & Remodeling, our utmost concern remains the health and well-being of our clients, employees, and their families. Until further notice, we are committed to:
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please reach out to our office manager at 858-775-7628.
If you are interested in chatting with us about an existing or future project, please reach out to us at your convenience.
Call (888) 747-2013 or click here for a free consultation now!
