Beautifully appointed 2 story on a lovely lot. Wood floors on the main and upper levels. The 2 story entry foyer leads to the dining room and study/living room, both with custom shutters, crown and dental molding. The spectacular great room features a wood-burning fireplace, built-in bookcases, bay window, walk-behind wet bar and French doors to patio., The kitchen is the heart of the home with 42-inch cabinets, center island, stainless appliances and adjoining breakfast room with a bay window. The master suite boasts a walk-in closet and luxury bath with double vanities, shower, and soaking tub. Also on the UL are 3 additional bedrooms and a full bath. The lower level is perfect for gatherings with a rec room, game room, walk-behind wet bar, fireplace, full bath, exercise room, and sauna. Additional features include a patio, 3 car rear-entry garage, level lot, sprinkler and security system, and more. Impeccable throughout!

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38 of the Most Expensive Homes for Sale in the St. Louis Area - STLtoday.com

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Do you tend to put off cleaning the gutters until as late as possible?

Maybe you even skipped doing it last year because its such a dreaded household chore.

Well, theres no need to put it off anymore thanks to some helpful products that make cleaning gutters easier than ever!

Following arethe best tools that help you clean the nastiness out of your gutters.

Generally speaking, there are 4 ways to clean gutters:

1. Climb a ladder and use a variety of tools to grab and remove the leaves and debris at eye-level.

2. Attach tools to a wet/dry shop vac to suck up the leaves or to blast them out of the gutters.

3. Attach tools to your water hose to spray leaves out of the gutters.

4. Use a long-reaching pole to remove leaves from the gutters while standing at ground level.

Of course, there are some gutter cleaning tools that combine one or more of the methods mentioned above. And each has its pros and cons. In the end, it all comes down to your own personal preference and which seems like the safest and easiest option to you.

These are the best gutter cleaning tools available right now

If youre tired of climbing on ladders and pouring water from a hose to flush the leaves and debris out of your gutters, this nifty little tool may be just what youre looking for!

One of the best things is the fact that you can clean your gutters from the ground. No ladder is required. And theres no need for water from your garden hose either.

Plus, its so lightweight that you can even reach a 2-story gutter with no problem.

The tool itself has 2 prongs and fits on an ordinary extension pole. (Check your current brooms, mops, and ceiling fan cleaners to see if theyre attached to extension poles.) Think of the pronged arms as a pair of tongs. While youre standing on the ground below, the angled arms of the Gutter Senseare able tograsp everything from leaves to pine needles.

Not bad for $20.

TIP: The Gardena Gutter Cleaner Head is another similar option.

Reviews from Gutter Sense owners:

If you love gadgets, and the idea of having your own personal robot cleaning your gutters tickles your fancy, this could be a fun new toy.

Its a remote controlled auger that will blast right through everything from dried debris to wet sludge. In effect, it brushes your gutters clean.

One nice perk is that comes with a holster and belt which makes it both hands free and have its own easy storage.

TIP: Use this template to make sure the iRobot Looj will fit your gutters first.

At nearly $100, this one may seem cost-prohibitive at first especially since you will only use it a few times each year. However, iRobot products tend to be durable, reliable, and highly recommended. Therefore, not only will it save you time and energy when you do use it, but it will also last for years!

Reviews from iRobot Looj owners:

If youre looking for the most affordable option, this one rates right up there at around $15.

Of all the tools reviewed here, this one requires the most manual labor on your part. The effect is similar to using a broom and dustpan to clean your gutters.

Although you still have to stand on a ladder to use the Gutter Getter, it greatly extends your reach and reduces the number of times you have to climb up and down the ladder. You canclean up to 14 feet of your gutters at a time before having to move the ladder.

Its much more than simply a 42-inchextension pole though. The tools that come in the kit (a scoop, a broom, a dustpan, and a grabber)make it easy to get the leaves and debris out of the gutters. It also works great around and under gutter hangers.

Reviews from Gutter Getter owners:

If you like the idea of using air to either suck up the leaves from your gutters or blast out the leaves with pressure, here are the best ones:

(These are used while youre standing on the ground.)

Shop Vac Gutter Cleaning Kit Its simple in design, but effective nonetheless. Plus, its one the least expensive options at under $10.It comes with a 120-degree elbow and a concentrator nozzle, as well as 2 extension wands which attach to your shop vacs blower port. Simply plug in your shop vac and, while standing on the ground, youre able to blow everything out of your gutters. Want a similar but slightly more sophisticated contraption? Try the Gutter Clutter Buster.

Gutter Cleaning Blower Attachment If you have a Weed Eater gas or electric leaf blower, then thismay suit your needs better than using a standard vacuum cleaner. Youll get more powerful bursts of air.

AiraLeave If you have a clogged gutter due to a blockage of leaves in the downspout, attach this to any standard leaf blower and then to your downspout at ground level. Once you turn it on, the powerful burst of air will immediately travel upwards and break up the clog on contact. Its an effective but messy procedure, because it sends all of the debris into the air (and then back down on you) once the clog is removed. The reviews speak for themselves.

When youre using water to remove leaves and debris from your gutters, youre effectively cleaning your gutters at the same time!

While it may be a bit messier to use water, its important to note that air alone wont remove the bits & pieces of roof shingles that have a way of gathering in your gutters orthat nasty collection of decomposing leaves sitting in your gutters (if its been some time since you last cleaned them). Thats when pressured water can be a lifesaver.

Here are the best gutter cleaning tools that use water to get the job done:

(Each of these can be used while youre standing on the ground.)

Gutter Cleaning Extension Wand has a slight hook at the end of the telescoping pole to help loosen clumps of leaves or debris from your gutters. But the magic is in the nozzle which uses water to push leaves out of the gutters.

Angled Pressure Washer Gutter Sprayer if you have a pressure washer, this one is a little more heavy duty and powerful than most water-blasting gutter cleaning systems.

And finally, a few tips for the true do-it-yourselfer who doesnt want to buy any gutter cleaning tools at all:

I like to help people find unique ways to do things that will save time & money so I write about "outside the box" Household Tips and Life Hacks that most wouldn't think of. I'm super-organized. And I LOVE to clean! I even enjoy doing laundry (but not ironing). Im also a lifelong dog owner so I often share my favorite tips for living with dogs inside your home (like smart home design choices and dog-friendly cleaning & decorating ideas). Career-wise, I've been sharing my best ideas with others by blogging full-time since 1998 (the same year that Google started and before the days of Facebook and YouTube). Prior to that, I worked in Higher Ed over 10 years before switching gears to pursue activities that I'm truly passionate about instead. For example, I've worked at a vet, in a photo lab, and at a zoo to name a few. I enjoy the outdoors via bicycle, motorcycle, Jeep, or RV. When Im not cleaning, organizing, decorating, or fixing something you'll find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).

Originally posted here:
Best Gutter Cleaning Tools For Removing Leaves & Debris ...

Below, youll find six of the best gutter cleaning tools available today to not only keep your gutters clean, but keep your feet on the ground. There are tools in every budget range and for almost any gutter setup included.

Spring and fall are the times when gutter cleaning is imperative. Clogged gutters can quickly cause major damage to your roof and fascia as water overflows and finds its way into the dark corners of your soffit. No one likes to climb on the ladder to dig leaves out with your hands, and some people hate it so much that they invented these creative solutions to gutter cleaning.

I hope youll find some good options below for your house and unique situation as you work your way through your home maintenance checklists.

What this tools lacks in creative naming (how many numbers and letters does it really need?) it makes up for in clever and simple design. Add this attachment to the business end of any pressure washer and place it into the gutter and blast leaves and debris in two directions.

Youll need an extension pole and if you dont have a downspout on both ends of the gutter, then this does work a little less efficiently since it blasts debris in both directions, but the ease of use cannot be denied.

This is as simple and inexpensive as it gets for gutter cleaning. Sure, youll have to climb up on a ladder and remove the debris by scooping it out, but at least you wont have to use your hands and at less than $5 what more did you expect?

I like to keep it simple and this scooper certainly accomplishes that in spades.

Funny name, serious product! Add this curved attachment to the end of your pressure washer and youre off. Angel the spray head whichever way you need and start at the high end of the gutter and blast all that gunk toward the downspout. It also works great for clearing jams in the downspout.

Theres nothing gimmicky here, just a simple design that is hard to mess up or claim you cant understand.

If you want to keep your feet on the ground while cleaning your gutters, then youll need a few of these extension wand to get your tool of choice in the right location. Depending on the height of your gutters, pick up a few of these extension wands so youre ready to roll.

The Simpson Extension Wand comes with a 1/4 quick connect already installed so that adding your attachment of choice is simple.

This one is for all the techies out there. Sure, you could do the manual labor yourself or choose some of these low tech options, but you could also go the high tech route and get this gutter cleaning robot! iRobot, the creators of popular Roomba also created this workhorse to get your gutters clean.

I have not used this little before and Im not quite sure how it works personally, but their website reviews give it 3.8 out of 5 stars and Amazon has hundreds of reviews scoring it about the same. So, from that I would guess, it gets a B+ for functionality, but A++ for coolness.

This little guy attaches to a standard hose and can blast dirt and leaves out of not only your gutters but also larger pipes. Simply push the hose along and the water rocket blast debris out the backside of the gutter and down the downspout.

Considering you dont need a pressure washer or any other tools, this one was pretty appealing to me. You can get started right away without asking your neighbor to borrow yet another tool.

Below I included a quick video of the iRobot Looj in action since as the most expensive options you should definitely do a little more research before plunking down a couple hundred dollars. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Share Away!

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The 6 Best Gutter Cleaning Tools | The Craftsman Blog

Gutter Cleaning Cost

The average cost of gutter cleaning is $150 with most homeowners spending between $110 and $185 or from $0.50 to $1.50 per linear foot. Gutter cleaning costs between $125 and $250 in a two-story home with 200 linear feet of gutters. A one-story house starts at $75 for a light cleaning and up to $200 for heavy cleaning.

On average, a gutter cleaning service will charge you anywhere from $75 to $300 depending on how much time, effort and equipment they will need to clean your gutters thoroughly. Expect to pay more if your gutters have not had a cleaning for a year or longer, especially if you have pine trees near your home or other additional damage to your gutters.

Two-story and three-story homes require special ladders and equipment to clean since the additional height brings with it more risk. The costs for rain gutter cleaning are significantly less if you clean them regularly and do not have trees near your home, especially if you live in a climate that does not experience severe weather conditions like flash flooding.

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The labor cost to clean gutters is around $0.50 to $1.50 per linear foot. A rough rule of thumb is that for every 100 square footage of a home, you can expect to have 10 linear feet of gutters. For example, a 1,500 sq. ft. house will have approximately 150 linear feet of gutters which will cost between $75 and $225 to clean.

Here are the cost factors that gutter cleaning companies take into account when estimating your total cost:

A single-story house is the cheapest in terms of gutter-cleaning costs. Additional stories require additional ladders and other safety gear that also drive up the price.

When you request gutter cleaning service, you'll first need to measure or estimate the length of your gutters. When talking to gutter cleaning companies, ask them how much per linear foot they charge to make comparisons. This way, you are more likely to get clear answers about the labor costs and avoid letting any company overcharge you. Always ask them about their specific cost-calculation models.

Common causes of a price hike:

It is normal for you to pay more for a gutter cleaning if any of these following points apply to your home:

Always make sure that your gutter cleaning includes flushing out your downspouts. They are the most important part of your gutter system since they move all the debris and water quickly away from your roof and your home's foundation. If you have clogged downspouts, then your gutters are almost useless since they will flood over fast. While it sometimes takes extra time and money to flush out the downspouts, it's still essential.

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Most experts will recommend that you clean your rain gutters and downspouts twice a year. The ideal times to clean them are right before your rainiest seasons of the year or right before you start experiencing snowfall if you live in cold climates. However, if you have gutter guards or another type of system where fine mesh screens are covering your gutters, then you will need to check them only once a year or once every two years if you don't have many trees close to your roof.

Some gutter-cleaning companies may offer additional services beyond simply cleaning and repairing gutters. For better protection of your gutter system, consider installing gutter guards so that it requires less cleaning. These systems generally feature a fine mesh screen that automatically prevents larger debris from entering your gutter channels.

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On average, gutter guards and covers cost between $4 and $12 per linear foot installed. The average home often has about 150-200 linear feet of gutters which most homeowners will pay around $570 to $1,529 for professional gutter guard installation.

Remember that you will get what you pay for. Even though you could buy cheap plastic or wire mesh screens yourself and install them on your own, it's a risky job and won't keep out the heavier weight of ice in the winter.

You will find gutter guards on the market in a variety of types. Some guards are only a simple screen, while other systems include foam, brushes, reverse curves, surface-tension features or micro-mesh gutter-guard options.

While the initial price of installing gutter guards will cost more than a standard gutter cleaning, keep in mind that they will also require you to clean your gutters much less often to save money in the long run. The only things that gutter guards cannot completely block out are dirt particles and tiny seeds, which is why they require light maintenance every year or two.

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The average cost to install new aluminum gutters is around $4 to $8 per linear foot and an additional $100 to remove and dispose of your old gutters. On the cheaper end, you could go with vinyl gutters at an average cost of $3 to $5 per linear foot. For a typical home with 150 to 200 feet of gutters, you can expect to pay around $600 to $1,600 for installation.

You could remove the old gutters yourself, but then you also run the risk of damaging your roof. Any damage you create can lead to more work for the installer who puts on your new gutter system, which will cost you more. Depending on the rules of trash and recycling collection in your city, you may also have to pay a fee to dispose of your old gutters if you bring them in yourself.

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If you think that cleaning your gutters is an easy do-it-yourself project, you may want to think again. People hire licensed gutter cleaners because they have lots of experience working on ladders so that you don't have to worry about falling.

They also have specialized equipment that makes it easier to fix unforeseen problems that come up during cleaning. For example, all sorts of things can wedge inside your gutters and cause clogs. They may need to take the gutters apart sometimes to clean them thoroughly. A qualified gutter-cleaning professional will make sure to remove every obstruction from your gutters, including insects, leaves, twigs, and parts of nests.

When you're ready to hire, ask your professional to inspect your gutter system, tighten fasteners, reseal end caps and outlets, and repair any problems.

Once they have finished disposing of all this waste for you, they will flush out your gutters to make sure that the gutters are fully channeling run-off water away from your home. If you would like to give it a shot yourself, check out our gutter cleaning tips below.

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Here's how to clean your gutters safely and more efficiently:

Get free estimates on HomeGuide from trusted gutter cleaning services:

Get free estimates

Read more from the original source:
2020 Gutter Cleaning Cost | How Much To Clean Gutters ...

News Release, National Endowment for the Arts

Washington, DCAccording to the latest data issued today by theBureau of Economic Analysisand the National Endowment for the Arts, the arts remain a vital component of the U.S. economy. As the United States navigates a time of economic uncertainty due to the spread of COVID-19, it is important to recognize and champion the economic contributions of the arts to all 50 states, the U.S. territories, and the nation as a whole.

The sixth edition of the Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account (ACPSA) finds that arts and culture contributed $877.8 billion, or 4.5 percent, to the nations gross domestic product (GDP) in 2017. That same year, there were over 5 million wage and salary workers employed in the arts and cultural sector, earning a total of $405 billion.Complete national findingsare available including interactive infographic anddata tables.

The ACPSA tracks the annual economic impact of arts and cultural production from 35 industries, both commercial and nonprofit. The 35 industries that are tracked range from architectural services to sound recording and are considered a distinct sector of the nations economy. With the outbreak of COVID-19, many arts organizations and venuestheaters, concert halls, museums, studios, festivals, and gallerieshave shut their doors until further notice from public health officials.

Earned income accounts for a substantial share of the bottom line of most nonprofit arts organizations, Sunil Iyengar, Director of Research & Analysis at the Arts Endowment, said. During economic downturns, the sector is acutely vulnerablein terms of earned income, but also in fundraising. Given the lean operating budgets of such organizations, these losses can have an outsized impact, leading to fewer jobs in arts industries, and in the businesses that supply them.

Key National Findings

As arts venues close, it will be important to monitor the impact on ticket sales.

Arts industries that contribute the most value to the nations GDP are also highly reactive to swings in business cycles including:

Even as the sector continues to respond to market forces, it is worth noting that arts and culture contribute significantly to the U.S. economy.

The arts and cultural sector add more to the economy than do construction and transportation/warehousingcombined.

Arts and culture generate a widening trade surplus. From 2006 to 2017, this surplus grew 9?fold, to more than $25 billion.

The sector has shown a capacity for rapid growth.

Key State Findings

On a state level, the arts and cultural sector added $72.8 billion to the economies of rural statesi.e., states in which 30 percent or more of the population live in rural areas, equaling 18 states.

Six states significantly surpassed the average national growth rate of 5.6 percent for the period 2015-2017: Washington, California, Nevada, Utah, Georgia, and Massachusetts.

Arts and cultural value-added for Average annual growth rate of 2017 (in millions) value-added: 2015-2017

Complete state findingsare available also.In addition, through an award from the Arts Endowment, the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) has producedan interactive dashboardthat allows users to explore key information for individual states.

The Southern Maryland Chronicle is a local, small business entrusted to provide factual, unbiased reporting to the Southern Maryland Community.While we look to local businesses for advertising, we hope to keep that cost as low as possible in order to attract even the smallest of local businesses and help them get out to the public. We must also be able to pay employees(part-time and full-time), along with equipment, and website related things. We never want to make the Chronicle a pay-wall style news site.

To that end, we are looking to the community to offer donations. Whether its a one-time donation or you set up a reoccurring monthly donation. It is all appreciated. All donations at this time will be going to furthering the Chronicle through hiring individuals that have the same goals of providing fair, and unbiased news to the community. For now, donations will be going to a business PayPal account I have set-up for the Southern Maryland Chronicle, KDC Designs. All business transactions currently occur within this PayPal account. If you have any questions regarding this you can email me at [emailprotected]

Thank you for all of your support and I hope to continue bringing Southern Maryland the best news possible for a very long time. David M. Higgins II

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During Economic Highs and Lows, the Arts Are Key Segment of US Economy - The Southern Maryland Chronicle

The City of Boca Raton is closing all non-essential retail and commercial establishments, effective 12:01am Wednesday, March 25, 2020, until further notice.

View the full Emergency Order (PDF).

All nonessential retail and commercial business locations (meaning all that are not expressly deemed essential as stated in 2 below) are ordered closed except to the extent necessary to perform Minimum Basic Operations.

Minimum Basic Operations means the minimum activities necessary to maintain the value of inventory, preserve plant and equipment condition, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, and facilitate employees working remotely, provided such businesses shall practice, and ensure persons interacting with and within such businesses practice, social distancing and all other measures as advised by the CDC.

The following retail and commercial businesses are deemed essential and existing retail and commercial business locations of these businesses may remain open, but shall practice, and ensure persons interacting with and within such businesses practice, social distancing and all other measures as advised by the CDC:

Essential Businesses That May Remain Open

Original post:
City of Boca Raton Issues Updated Emergency Order Effective Wednesday, Until Further Notice - The Boca Raton Tribune

Gov. Larry Hogan has ordered all non-essential businesses in the state to close. That includes bars, restaurants, entertainment venues and other places where crowds could gather that are not critical to infrastructure of day-to-day life.

Hogan emphasized that this is not a shelter-in-place order, as has been issued in other states. He said he believes closing down businesses is a more effective way to keep people from venturing out.

"Marylanders are urged to remain home, and employers are urged to promote work-from-home arrangements to the greatest extent possible," according to the Office of Legal Counsel of Maryland.

In Monday's press conference, Hogan thanked the Marylanders who have been social distancing and staying at home, but cautioned those who have not complied.

Unfortunately, many people are still not taking it seriously," Hogan said. "There were crowds of people visiting the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., and large gatherings on the beach in Ocean City and on the boardwalk. If you are engaged in this kind of activity, you are breaking the law, and you are literally endangering the lives of your family, your friends, and fellow citizens."

The cloture of all non-essential businesses began at 5 p.m. Monday, March 23.

Hogan said it's a difficult decision having to close businesses, but his administration is trying to be aggressive to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.

"It's the twin battles, so we don't take any of these steps, and hundreds of thousands or millions of people are going to die in America," Hogan said. "We do take these steps and hundreds of thousands are going to be hurt economically, so its a terrible choice, and so the solution is we try to do both. We try to save lives, and then we try to help save the economy."

He said they have set up multiple funds to help small businesses weather the storm.

At least one of the funds provides up to $10,000 in the form of a direct, immediate grant to help businesses with fewer than 50 employees. His administration said they are also offering up to $50,000 in low-interest loans, with a 0 percent interest rate in the first 12 months.

To help families as they try to stock up on supplies, the Governor also signed an executive order Monday to ban price gauging.

Retailers who attempt to exploit this crisis for profit and gain will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," the Governor said.

Below is a list of businesses that are considered essential and will remain open, according to a release from the Office of Legal Counsel of Maryland.

The Chemical Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Pharmaceutical manufacturers.

ii. Chemical manufacturers.

iii. Distributors of chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

The Commercial Facilities Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Lodging.

ii. Building and property maintenance companies, including without limitation plumbers, electricians, HVAC service companies, roofers, environmental services companies, exterminators, arborists, and landscapers.

iii. Janitorial firms.

iv. Companies that sell supplies and materials for maintenance of commercial and residential buildings, including big box home improvement supply stores, plumbing distributors, electrical distributors, and HVAC distributors.

v. Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry services.

vi. Commercial and residential construction companies.

vii. Self-storage facilities.

RELATED: Gov. Hogan issues order to close all nonessential businesses in Maryland

The Communications Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Broadcasting companies and stations.

ii. Cable TV companies.

iii. Telephone (cellular and landline) companies.

iv. Internet service providers.

The Critical Manufacturing Sector includes, but is not limited to, manufacturing of:

i. Steel, iron, and aluminum products.

ii. Engines, motors, turbines, generators, and power transmission equipment.

iii. Earth-moving, mining, agricultural, and construction equipment.

iv. Parts for water, electric, and telecommunications utility infrastructure.

v. Land, air, and water vehicles, and related parts.

vi. Medical equipment.

vii. Personal protective equipment.

viii. Cleaning and sanitation equipment and supplies.

The Defense Industrial Base Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Companies that research, develop, manufacture, or integrate weapons, defense, or intelligence systems or assets.

ii. Private contractors that support defense and intelligence agencies.

The Emergency Services Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Law enforcement.

ii. Emergency medical services.

iii. Emergency management.

iv. Fire and rescue services.

v. Private ambulance companies.

The Energy Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Companies engaged in electricity production (excluding hydroelectric and nuclear, which are included in other sectors).

ii. Companies engaged in the production, refining, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale of oil, gas, and propane products, including gas stations and truck stops.

iii. Companies that provide utility maintenance services.

The Financial Services Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Banks and credit unions.

ii. Non-bank lenders.

iii. Payroll processing companies.

iv. Payment processing companies.

v. Armored car companies.

vi. Insurance companies.

vii. Securities and investment companies.

viii. Accounting and bookkeeping firms.

The Food and Agriculture Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Grocery stores.

ii. Farmers markets.

iii. Convenience stores.

iv. Alcoholic beverage stores and distributors, distilleries, and wineries.

v. Institutional food service and supply companies.

vi. Farms.

vii. Food manufacturing and processing.

viii. Pet supply stores.

ix. Veterinary hospitals, clinics, and kennels.

x. Companies that manufacture, maintain, and sell agricultural equipment.

xi. Companies that manufacture, or support the manufacturing of paper products.

Please note: Restaurants and bars are required to close except for carryout, delivery, and drive-through sales.

RELATED: 'Now is not the time' | Ocean City beach, boardwalk closes amid coronavirus concerns

The Government Facilities Sector also encompasses private persons and entities that support the judicial system including, but not limited to:

i. Lawyers and law firms.

ii. Court reporters.

iii. Bail bondsmen.

The Healthcare and Public Health Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Hospitals.

ii. Healthcare systems and clinics.

iii. Offices of health care providers, including physicians, dentists, and pharmacists.

iv. Physical, occupation, and speech therapists.

v. Behavioral health facilities and professionals, including psychologists, mental health counselors, and substance abuse counselors

vi. Rehabilitation facilities.

vii. Diagnostic facilities, including radiology, imaging, and laboratory facilities.

viii. Health plans, payers, and billing companies.

ix. Funeral homes and crematoriums.

x. Senior living facilities, including independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing.

xi. Manufacturers and distributors of medical equipment and supplies.

xii. Medical cannabis growers, processors, and dispensaries.

xiii. Home health care companies.

xiv. Pharmacies.

The Information Technology Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Companies that design, develop, distribute, host, sell, and support information technology software and hardware.

ii. Companies that provide network routing, access, and configuration services.

The Transportation Systems Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Airlines and operators of commercial aircraft (manned and unmanned).

Follow this link:
LIST: These are the only businesses to remain open in Maryland - WUSA9.com

On March 17 and 20, 2020, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Orders 20-68 and 20-71, announcing unprecedented state-wide closures of bars and nightclubs, restaurants for on-site dining, and stand-alone gyms. Since then, additional counties and municipalities in Florida have enacted more stringent measures attempting to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The virus has continued to spread rapidly in South Florida, including the Tampa Bay area. As of March 26, 2020, the Florida Department of Health reported 2,359 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among Florida residents and 29 deaths. The counties with the highest reported cases were Dade (654), Broward (505), Palm Beach (174), and Hillsborough (151). Pinellas County reported 65 cases.

Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners issued the first safer-at-home order impacting Tampa Bay, Resolution No. 20-20. The order is effective March 26, 2020 through the expiration of the countys declared State of Local Emergency or until the Board of County Commissioners determines that a policy change is in the publics best interest. Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group passed a similar safer-at-home order effective 10:00 p.m. on March 27, 2020, until it is rescinded by the countys Emergency Policy Group.

Both counties orders require businesses to close if they do not provide Essential Services or cannot maintain the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) social distancing and group gathering guidelines to keep at least six feet between persons.

Pinellas County

In Pinellas County, non-essential businesses must post a notice that is clearly visible at all times to those present on the premises including patrons and employees, in a form to be established by the County Administrator. A list of frequently-asked questions can be accessed on the countys website. Businesses that do not comply with the order may be subject to enforcement action up to and including orders to close and criminal charges.

The Pinellas County order also broadly defines Essential Services, to include the following:

Hillsborough County

The Hillsborough County safer-at-home order emphasizes that all residents are directed to stay at home as much as possible twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, except in limited circumstances. In addition to social distancing, businesses are required to follow Florida Department of Health guidance and to use best practices, as set forth by the CDC and the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act, to reduce the risk of worker exposure to COVID-19 in workplaces. A violation of the order may be prosecuted as a second degree misdemeanor punishable as provided in section 775.082 or 775.083, Florida Statutes.

The order exempts the following essential individuals, businesses, and services:

Similar measures involving closure of certain businesses are currently effective in other counties and municipalities across Florida, including:

Employers may want to review these orders to ensure they are in compliance in all areas of Florida where they conduct business.

Read the rest here:
COVID-19 Safer-at-Home Orders Now Effective in Tampa Bay and Other Florida Counties and Municipalities - Lexology

As more and more states and localities shut down entire industries and order workers and citizens to stay home and shelter in place, many companies are asking How does this affect my operations? In this post, we focus on the Construction Industry and how it fits into the Federal, state and municipal mosaic of what is being defined as essential.

In many of the states and localities that have ordered nonessential industries to cease physical location, in-office or in-facility work, the orders or guidance categorize construction as essential infrastructure. Some of this is on their own volition, other States have relied or been guided by Federal Guidance that has been published by Homeland Security Cyber and Infrastructure (CISA) Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Division. This publication is commonly referred to as CISA. https://www.cisa.gov/news/2020/03/19/cisa-releases-guidance-essential-critical-infrastructure-workers-during-covid-19.

Under CISA many construction activities have been deemed to be essential This means that, for that States that are following CISA, in general, construction and construction supply companies may continue operations.

However, not all Executive Orders are created equal. Governors and mayors have created a patchwork of mandates to attempt to flatten the corona virus curve, and not all sectors of the construction industry have a green light to stay open and running. It is vital to carefully review Orders and associated guidance to determine how it applies to the construction industry as a whole, and specific subsections of the construction industry. Moreover, these Orders are subject to change as we saw this morning in New York state. As such, please make sure you are looking at the latest guidance that has been issued or feel free to give us a call or email to discuss your questions.

Below is a list of how California, Nevada, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Washington, DC, Pennsylvania, Texas, Massachusetts and New Jersey are treating construction in the context of non-essential business physical closure Orders and how some specific jurisdictions such as Philadelphia, Miami, Las Vegas, Atlanta San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego have responded all of which directly affects construction industry operations.

*This List has been updated as of March 27, 2020, (3:15 pm EST)

Jurisdictions Direct Impact on Construction Companies and Projects

California: California ordered that all workers must stay home, except workers deemed Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers.

Generally, construction workers are essential to critical infrastructure. See Guidance. Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate and construction workers may go to work.

Specifically designated as essential are:

Workers who support the operation, inspection, and maintenance of essential public works facilities and operations, including bridges, water and sewer main breaks, fleet maintenance personnel, construction of critical or strategic infrastructure, construction material suppliers, traffic signal maintenance, emergency location services for buried utilities, maintenance of digital systems infrastructure supporting public works operations, and other emergent issues;

Engineers, technicians and associated personnel responsible for infrastructure construction and restoration, including contractors for construction and engineering of fiber optic cables;

Construction Workers who support the construction, operation, inspection, and maintenance of construction sites and construction projects (including housing construction);

Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, construction material sources, and essential operation of construction sites and construction projects (including those that support such projects to ensure the availability of needed facilities, transportation, energy and communications; and support to ensure the effective removal, storage, and disposal of solid waste and hazardous waste).

Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego:

These cities in California have each taken separate positions some view construction as essential (e.g., San Francisco) and as such permit construction to remain operational which is at odds with the State position on construction (other than as noted above) being deemed to be NON-essential. Care should be taken in these cities to evaluate the State Executive Order in the context of City Orders, noting that in most cases the more restrictive interpretation is likely to rule the day.

Delaware: Delaware ordered the closure of all nonessential businesses.

Construction, however has been deemed to be an essential category. See List. Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate and construction workers may go to work.

Specifically designated in the Order as essential are:

Workers who support the operation, inspection, and maintenance of essential public works facilities and operations, including bridges, water and sewer main breaks, fleet maintenance personnel, construction of critical or strategic infrastructure, traffic signal maintenance, emergency location services for buried utilities, maintenance of digital systems infrastructure supporting public works operations, and other emergent issues;

Engineers, technicians and associated personnel responsible for infrastructure construction and restoration, including contractors for construction and engineering of fiber optic cables.

Workers who are engaged in the construction of residential, nonresidential structures, or infrastructure, and any workers who provide critical maintenance to residential or non-residential structures;

Businesses that supply materials and hardware to those engaged in the construction of residential or non-residential structures; Workers involved in activities related to the design and apportionment of residential and non-residential structures.

Washington DC: Washington D.C. ordered the closure of all nonessential businesses except for Minimum Basic Operations.

Construction and Building Trades are, however, classified as Essential Businesses per the Order. Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate.

The Order specifically includes the following as essential under that category: plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, electricians, boilermakers, exterminators, roofers, carpenters, bricklayers, welders, elevator mechanics, businesses that sell supplies and materials for maintenance of commercial and residential buildings and homes, including big box supply stores, plumbing distributors, electrical distributors, HVAC distributors, and other businesses that provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and operations of residences and Essential Businesses.

Florida: Florida has closed only bars and nightclubs at the moment (note, however, given the growth of cases in the last 48 hours, this may change). See March 23 Order. Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate.

Miami:

Miami has ordered that all nonessential retail and commercial establishments close.

The following, among other industries, have been deemed essential:

Open construction sites, irrespective of the type of building;

Architectural, engineering, or land surveying services;

Contractors and other tradesmen who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences and other structures.

Generally, construction appears to be an essential business, but not all types of construction. Though open construction sites may remain open, the Order does not specifically include construction that has not yet commenced, except for specific purposes. Therefore, construction businesses should evaluate projects on a case-by-case basis.

Georgia: Georgia has closed only bars and nightclubs. See March 23 Order. Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate.

Atlanta:

Atlanta has ordered that all nonessential businesses close and that residents of Atlanta stay at home unless engaging in essential activities.

One exception is for residents to leave to work for essential businesses.

Construction is essential infrastructure per the Order. Specifically, individuals may leave their residence to provide any services or perform any work necessary to the operations and maintenance of Essential Infrastructure, including, but not limited to public works, construction, airport operations, utility, water, sewer, gas, electrical, oil refining, roads and highways, railroads, public transportation provided that they carry out those services or that work in compliance with Social Distancing Requirements as defined herein, to the extent possible.

Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate in Atlanta.

Illinois: Illinois ordered the closure of all nonessential businesses. Illinois has also ordered that all residents stay home unless leaving to perform an essential function.

The Order categorizes construction as essential infrastructure. Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate and construction workers may go to work.

It specifically includes, but is not limited to: construction required in response to this public health emergency, hospital construction, construction of long-term care facilities, public works construction, and housing construction.

Chicago:

Chicago joined in the announcement of the statewide order, which is more expansive and preempts its local orders.

Maryland: Maryland ordered the closure of all nonessential businesses that are not part of the critical infrastructure sectors identified by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). See CISA Guidance.

As CISA guidance has been used in other states to justify construction related activities as essential it is likely that construction related activities will be permitted to continue in Maryland.

The Governor has ordered that all nonessential businesses close. The order defines nonessential as anything not part of the critical infrastructure sectors identified in the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agencys (CISA) guidance. See attached; https://www.cisa.gov/identifying-critical-infrastructure-during-covid-19 Construction is not a specific category under CISA, but is mentioned in relation to the other categories.

The Maryland Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) published interpretive guidance. The interpretive guidance includes commercial and residential construction companies in the list of businesses that are not required to close under the category of Commercial Facilities.

Note: Maryland has 2x updated its list of businesses that are essential during the week which list now includes title companies, engineers, architects, and nurseries. Please make sure to check these updates for your specific business.

Massachusetts:

Massachusetts ordered the closure of all nonessential businesses.

Generally, construction is essential to critical infrastructure. See Guidance. Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate.

Specifically designated as essential are:

Construction workers who support the construction, operation, inspection, and maintenance of construction sites and construction projects (including housing construction);

Workers who support the operation, inspection, and maintenance of essential public works facilities and operations, including roads and bridges, water and sewer main breaks, fleet maintenance personnel, construction of critical or strategic infrastructure, traffic signal maintenance, emergency location services for buried utilities, maintenance of digital systems infrastructure supporting public works operations, and other emergent issues;

Workers including contracted vendors involved in the construction of critical or strategic infrastructure including public works construction, airport operations, water, sewer, gas, electrical, nuclear, oil refining and other critical energy services, roads and highways, public transportation, solid waste collection and removal, and internet, and telecommunications systems (including the provision of essential global, national, and local infrastructure for computing services);

Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, inspectors and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, construction sites and projects, and needed facilities;

Engineers, technicians and associated personnel responsible for infrastructure construction and restoration, including contractors for construction and engineering of fiber optic cables.

Boston:

Boston suspended all regular activity at construction sites.

Boston provided the following guidance:

Employers should maintain the necessary crews to keep their sites safe and secure, keep any materials from blowing away, and prevent trespassing.

After sites have been secured, skeleton crews will be permitted for the remainder of this suspension to ensure safety.

The only work that will be permitted moving forward will be emergency work, which will need to be approved by the City of Bostons Inspectional Services Department.

That essential work includes:

emergency utility, road or building work, such as gas leaks, water leaks and sinkholes new utility connections to occupied buildings mandated building or utility work work at public health facilities, healthcare facilities, shelters, including temporary shelters and other facilities that support vulnerable populations work which ensures the reliability of the transportation network, and other work necessary to render occupied residential buildings fully habitable.

Boston has a process to review requests for exceptions to the temporary construction moratorium. These may be granted by the Commissioner of Inspectional Services for building-related work or the Commissioner of Public Works for street-related work. These will be granted if they support increased public health and safety. Notwithstanding this helpful process, the Commonwealths Executive Order specifically overrides any municipal order to the contrary, and, as such the Governors Executive Order provides the critical guidance on this issue (see above construction is generally essential).

Nevada: Nevada ordered the closure of nonessential businesses that either promote recreational gatherings or promote extended periods of public interaction where risk of transmission is high.

The Order specifically permits the construction labor force to continue operating, though it must adopt social distancing measures. Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate.

Las Vegas:

Las Vegas listed construction as an essential business, per the Governors Order.

New Jersey: New Jersey ordered the closure of all brick-and-mortar premises of non-essential retail businesses, as well as recreational and entertainment businesses and restaurants and bars.

New Jerseys order does not apply to the construction industry. The state further clarified that heavy construction and other commercial operations may continue to operate, but should limit onsite staff to essential operations. Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate.

New York : New York ordered the closure of all nonessential businesses.

In general, construction is an essential industry. See Guidance. The guidance INITIALLY and specifically includes:

Skilled trades such as electricians, plumbers; Other related construction firms and professionals for essential infrastructure or for emergency repair and safety purposes.

That initial guidance was modified today, March 27th : https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026. Under the revised guidance:

9. Construction

All non-essential construction must shut down except emergency construction, (e.g. a project necessary to protect health and safety of the occupants, or to continue a project if it would be unsafe to allow to remain undone until it is safe to shut the site).

Essential construction may continue and includes roads, bridges, transit facilities, utilities, hospitals or health care facilities, affordable housing, and homeless shelters. At every site, if essential or emergency non-essential construction, this includes maintaining social distance, including for purposes of elevators/meals/entry and exit. Sites that cannot maintain distance and safety best practices must close and enforcement will be provided by the state in coordination with the city/local governments. This will include fines of up to $10,000 per violation.

For purposes of this section construction work does not include a single worker, who is the sole employee/worker on a job site.

Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate but only if they fall into the above specific exempt categories.

New York City:

The city has adopted the Governors Order.

Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania has ordered the closure of all non-life-sustaining businesses.

Construction, as a general category, is not life-sustaining per Pennsylvanias published list of industry types. See Guidance.

The state is permitting construction BUT only for emergency repairs and to construction of health care facilities. Therefore, construction companies may not operate unless they fall under an exception or obtain a waiver from the state.

Philadelphia:

Philadelphia ordered that certain businesses close and initially permitted construction through March 27th. Furthermore, Philadelphia is currently under a state-ordered stay-at-home order, but there is an exception for workers traveling to and working for life-sustaining businesses.

Texas: Texas has closed only bars, dining, and gyms. See March 19 Order. Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate.

Various localities in Texas have enacted expansive business restrictions. As with all states, it is important to analyze local law to determine if there are restrictions for business operations.

Virginia: Virginia has only ordered the closure of specific types of recreational and entertainment businesses. See March 23 Order. Therefore, construction companies may continue to operate.

See the article here:
Construction Activity in the Covid-19 Era: Essential Activity or Non-Essential Activity? - Lexology

Special Report

Grant Suneson, John Harrington

As of 2009, more than half of the worlds population lived in urban areas. By 2050, the U.N. projects that two out of every three people live in an urban area. This ongoing shift to big cities could fundamentally change the way we think about many critical issues, like disease control. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted one of the potential drawbacks of living in a highly dense megacity, defined as having populations greater than 10 million.

People in close proximity are more likely to catch and spread the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. Health experts believe New York City has been especially hard-hit by the virus because of its U.S.-leading population density of 28,000 residents per square mile, in addition to the high number of international tourists and its reliance on public transportation. The tourism industry like others has grinded to a halt as a result, however. These are the US industries being devastated by the coronavirus.

The susceptibility of these cities to this and other viruses also depends in large part on the response by national and local governments. In early February, China restricted entry to megacities Tianjin, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. India, home to a number of megacities on this list, instituted a nationwide lockdown in late march. The response to the coronavirus in America has been more fragmented, directed by state and local leaders. Many have shut down non-essential businesses like bars and restaurants. These are the places that have mandated bar and restaurant closings.

To identify the worlds 33 megacities, 24/7 Wall St. used The Worlds Cities in 2018, the latest edition of the U.N.s biennial population data booklet. All data on population, population projections, and the percentage of a nations population residing in urban areas are from this source.

It is important to note that there are no standard global criteria for determining the boundaries of a city for the purpose of population studies. Some estimates look only at the population inside a citys administrative boundaries, known as the city proper population. Other population measures include surrounding suburban communities that have economic ties to a nearby urban core but can stretch for hundreds of square miles through small farming communities and national parks.

Click here to see the worlds 33 mega citiesClick here to see our detailed findings and methodology

Follow this link:
The Worlds 33 Megacities - 24/7 Wall St.