COVID-19 News Round-up for April 21

Policy & Stimulus News 
Union Pushes for Enhanced Worker Protection 
The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades is demanding that Congress act now to protect workers and their families by subsidizing health plans and providing stronger oversight of sanitation and safety protocols for ongoing construction sites. (Source: IUPAT) 
GPEC Calling for Another $250B in Stimulus 
The Greater Phoenix Economic Council, along with other economic development advocacy organizations in Arizona, have called on the federal government to approve a second $250B stimulus immediately to give struggling businesses a lifeline. GPEC also is working to streamline resources to help businesses apply more quickly the next round. (Source: Phoenix Business Journal) 
ADOT Issues COVID-19 Construction Site Guidelines 
The Arizona Department of Transportation’s Infrastructure Delivery and Operations Division has published COVID-19-related health and safety guidelines for construction workers on ADOT sites. (Source: Arizona Chapter Associated General Contractors) 
FAA Issues Drone Guidance for COVID-19 Response 
On April 14th, the Federal Aviation Administration announced the enabling of drone use for COVID-19 response efforts within the confines of its existing regulations and emergency procedures. (Source: Snell & Wilmer) 
Economic News 
Reopening Could Require 1,000s More Public Health Workers  
Before stay-at-home orders are lifted, the nation’s public health agencies want to be ready to douse any new sparks of coronavirus infection — a task they say could require tens of thousands more investigators to call people who test positive, track down their contacts and get them into quarantine. (Source: Associated Press) 
Taylor Morrison CEO Discusses Leadership During Pandemic 
Taylor Morrison chair and CEO Sheryl Palmer discusses her vision for leading — and thriving — during and after the pandemic crisis. (Source: Builder) 
Yuma Area Leaders Discuss Reopening 
Yuma County leaders met on Friday, April 17th to discuss what the path to reopening the area economy might look like. (Source: Yuma Sun) 
Economists Ponder Definition, Timeframe for ‘Back to Normal’ 
While restrictions on travel or going to restaurants, bars, gyms and other businesses eventually will lift, economists wonder how quickly consumers will return after several weeks of being told that it’s unsafe to be in public places. They are tracking some unusual metrics to help them chart the course. (Source: AZCentral) 
Crisis Preparations Cut Ariz. Hospital Revenues 
Arizona hospitals are facing “dire financial consequences” and furloughing staff, as cutbacks meant to prepare for COVID-19 cases have instead cost them as much as $575M a month, about 30-40 percent of normal revenues statewide. The cancellation of elective procedures meant to free up beds for potential coronavirus patients, combined with a drop in ER visits, has deprived hospitals of the “cash cows” they need to stay afloat in an industry that otherwise has margins of only 3-4 percent, advocates said. (Source: AZ Big Media) 
Ariz. Ventilators, Beds Probably Adequate for COVID ‘Surge’ 
Arizona hospitals appear to have enough beds and ventilators to handle an anticipated surge in COVID-19 patients, new data and analysis shows. (Source: Arizona Daily Star) 
PHX To Put CRE Returns into General Fund  
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said the city will put all returns it earns from its real estate transactions into the general fund during the pandemic. That includes $6.8M of transactions that originally came from the fund and will now be used to offset a budget deficit. (Source: Bisnow) 
How CRE May Change After Crisis 
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic will force commercial real estate to make significant structural changes to prepare for a new normal, McKinsey & Co. said in a report. (Source: Bisnow) 
Resources 
Rose Law Group City Operations Updates 
Rose Law Group has updated its chart of current statuses for area municipalities’ operations, planning and development services and public meetings. (Source: Rose Law Group Reporter) 
Another Look at Force Majeure  
Robert C. Bates and Anthony Eulano of Snell & Wilmer have produced an overview article exploring the ability of businesses to excuse performance under their existing commercial leases and other contracts. (Source: Snell & Wilmer)