March 31 COVID-19 UPDATE

• While three-quarters of the country is under some type of “stay-at-home” order, states are continuing to review their data and predicted surges in infections.  A useful compilation of state orders is contained in this link.  Please remember that state and local changes occur on a daily, if not hourly, basis.
  
  
• Automakers continue to transition manufacturing capabilities to the production of PPE, ventilators and other medical equipment.  Ford announced that it will partner with medical equipment companies and produce 50,000 ventilators over the next 100 days.  That number augments the expected production of ventilators by GM and its partners.   President Trump said that the government will purchase 100,000 ventilators over the next 100 days.
  
  
• The COVID-19 pandemic tops all the news, all the time.  However, other issues simmer under the national radar and ARA is still monitoring developments on issues such as proposed stormwater regulations.  ARA belongs to the Federal Water Quality Coalition and the Federal Stormwater Association and is reviewing proposed industry comments to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new draft Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP).