Coronavirus Resources and Updates __

COVID-19 Resource Center for the Wood Flooring Industry

The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) and Hardwood Floors magazine continue to monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. As the situation changes by the minute, we want to serve as a resource to the wood flooring community during this unprecedented time. Our team will regularly update this webpage with related industry news, event cancellations, and resources you may find helpful. Read on for more information, and feel free to send company news and other resources to libby.johnston@nwfa.org.

National Wood Flooring Association Member Guide to Coronavirus Economic Relief

Most NWFA members are small businesses, and many are impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. NWFA has reviewed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to gather information that will help eligible members navigate the programs available to them through the Small Business Administration.

Click Here to Download the Guide

News

NWFA Real Answers Podcast: The Small Business Loan Application Process & Loan Forgiveness Criteria
In this edition of the Real Answers podcast for Tuesday, April 7, Michael and Chris discuss updates on the small business loan application process and loan forgiveness criteria.

NWFA Real Answers Podcast: Update for Sunday, April 5
Michael Martin and Chris Zizza discuss the latest information on the Coronavirus. If you have topics you’d like to see addressed regarding the coronavirus and how it is impacting your business.

NWFA Real Answers Podcast: Feedback from Members in the Industry
Michael Martin and Chris Zizza discuss information gathered from a series of conference calls with contractors, distributors, manufacturers, and retailers.

NWFA Real Answers Podcast: Conversation with Dana Lee Cole, Executive Director of the Hardwood Federation
Michael Martin and Chris Zizza are joined by Dana Lee Cole, Executive Director of the Hardwood Federation. They discuss the CARES Act, updates from Washington, D.C., and how you should position your business for the days and weeks ahead.

Treasury Issues Guidance on Small Business Loan Program
Small businesses and sole proprietorships can apply for loans through the PPP starting on April 3, while self-employed individuals and independent contractors can apply starting April 10. The Hardwood Federation has provided an overview.

NWFA Real Answers Podcast: SBA Loans
Michael Martin and Chris Zizza discuss the experience of going through the Small Business Administration’s financial support process.

COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfecting: What’s Safe for Wood Floors?
Are your customers asking how they should clean wood floors during the pandemic? This blog has tips you can share about the importance of using appropriate cleaning products.

FAQs for Coronavirus Response Legislation
The WFCA has compiled the most common questions and answers they’ve been receiving about the recent legislation passed in response to the Coronavirus.

NWFA Real Answers Podcast: CARES Act and Payroll Protection
In this edition of the Real Answers podcast for Tuesday, March 31, Michael Martin and Chris Zizza discuss the passage of the CARES Act, and what you need to know about payroll protection.

Understanding the CARES ACT
The 883-page Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is designed to help businesses stay afloat and to pay its employees during the coronavirus crisis. Accordingly, it provides for loans, tax relief, and other programs to assist businesses and individuals. The WFCA is sharing an overview of the provisions that may impact you most.

NWFA Real Answers Podcast: Update for Sunday, March 29
In this edition of the Real Answers podcast for Sunday, March 29, Michael and Chris discuss the latest information on the Coronavirus, including the passage of the CARES Act.

House Joins Senate in Passing COVID-19 CARES Act
The House of Representatives has joined the Senate and passed the Phase 3 “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act,” which will now be sent to the president’s desk and is widely thought to be signed as soon as possible. Read more information from the Hardwood Federation.

U.S. Department Of Labor Announces Additional Guidance Explaining Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) announced more guidance to provide information to workers and employers about how each will be able to take advantage of the protections and relief offered by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) when it takes effect on April 1, 2020.

Fraud During COVID-19
With all the disruption of business as a result of the coronavirus, companies are vulnerable to fraud. The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) has suggestions on ways to protect your company.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Forest Products Industry
The Forest Resources Association (FRA) is providing daily updates about essential businesses and workforces by state, as well as shelter-in-place orders.

Real Answers Podcast: March 26
In this edition of the Real Answers podcast for Thursday, March 26, Michael Martin and Chris Zizza discuss the latest information on the coronavirus.

Real Answers Podcast: Update for March 25
Michael Martin and Chris Zizza are joined by Brett Miller, NWFA’s Vice President of Technical Standards, Training & Certification. Brett shares information and ideas gleaned from discussions with other members of the hardwood flooring industry over the past few weeks.

Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Inc. (AHMI) Update on Essential Businesses
The AHMI says more Appalachian state governments have enacted shelter-in-place orders in the past two days, but are allowing essential businesses as designated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to operate.

A Summary of the U.S. Economy and Coronavirus Threats
Santo Torcivia, President of Market Insights LLC, provides an overview of the quarterly United States Market Monitor Report for March 2020.

Donate N95 Masks to Healthcare Workers
The NWFA has been hearing from members who have either already donated N95 masks to hospitals, or would like to do so. If you have supplies you can spare, and would like to donate them to healthcare workers, check out the resources in this article.

Real Answers Podcast: Maintaining Hope and Flexibility During a Crisis with Bruce Zwicker CEO of Zwicker Advisory
Michael Martin and Chris Zizza chat with Bruce Zwicker, CEO of Zwicker Advisory, who gives an industry outlook, shares a potential recipe for success, and discusses maintaining hope and flexibility during a crisis.

Real Answers Podcast: Update for Monday, March 23
In this edition of the Real Answers podcast for March 23, Michael Martin and Chris Zizza discuss the latest information on coronavirus.

Cash Flow Relief Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
A significant issue for small businesses is the impact on cash flow of the requirements under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act that was passed last week to pay sick and family leave. Learn more in the latest assessment from the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA).

Federal Income Tax Deadline Extended
The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced that the federal income tax filing due date has been extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020.

Take Action: Ask Congress to Include U.S. Hardwood Industry in Coronavirus Relief Packages
The U.S. Hardwood Industry, like much of the U.S. manufacturing sector, is under stress due to COVID-19. The Hardwood Federation is asking for your help to ensure the hardwood industry is eligible for any additional federal financial relief measures.

Real Answers Podcast: News from Peers in the Hardwood Flooring Industry
In this edition of the Real Answers podcast recorded Thursday, March 19th, Michael and Chris discuss the latest information on the Coronavirus, what they are hearing from peers in the hardwood flooring industry, and what businesses might be worth reaching out to for installation or refinishing work.

PA Gov. Revises Shut Down – Mills Still Closed Without Waiver
The Pennsylvania’s Governor’s Office has issued a new list of companies permitted to work during the “life-sustaining business only” criteria and has INCLUDED logging and forestry but NOT INCLUDED sawmills, veneer plants and secondary wood processing.

Real Answers Podcast: Managing Downtime Effectively
In this edition of the Real Answers podcast, Michael Martin and Chris Zizza discuss what to communicate to employees, the importance of marketing, capital management, and how to create a game plan to best weather the fallout from the coronavirus.

President Trumps Signs the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act”
H.R. 6201, the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act,” which provides for supplemental appropriations related to the COVID-19 public health emergency, as well as waivers and modifications of Federal nutrition programs, employment-related protections and benefits, health programs and insurance coverage requirements, and related tax credits during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Real Answers Podcast: Developing your Coronavirus Game Plan
In this edition of the Real Answers podcast, Michael Martin and Chris Zizza discuss what to communicate to employees, the importance of marketing, capital management, and how to create a game plan to best weather the fallout from the coronavirus.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201)
The bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives would provide relief directly to individuals and businesses adversely impacted by the coronavirus.

OSHA Publishes COVID-19 Guidance
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19” to help companies respond in the event of coronavirus in the workplace.

Coronavirus Outbreak Changing how Homes are Viewed on the Market
Nearly one in four home sellers nationwide are changing how their home is viewed while the home remains on the market due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, according to a new survey from the National Association of Realtors.

U.S. Department of Labor Announces New Guidance on Unemployment Insurance Flexibilities During Coronavirus Outbreak
Under the guidance, federal law permits significant flexibility for states to amend their laws to provide UI benefits in multiple scenarios related to COVID-19.

Industry Events

The 2020 NWFA Wood Flooring Expo is canceled. Read the full statement here or watch this video where NWFA President and CEO Michael Martin discusses the Expo cancellation.

The Decorative Hardwoods Association 2020 Fall Conference and 99th Annual Meeting has been rescheduled for October 11 – 13, at the Sonesta Resort in Hilton Head Island, SC.

Cefla North America and Weinig Holz-Her North America announced the postponement of CeflaLive 2020 and NEXT LEVEL 2020

The Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF)’s 40th Anniversary Gala has been postponed to Spring 2021.

NeoCon 2020 has been postponed.

The Hardwood Manufacturers Association has postponed the 2020 National Conference & Expo.
The 2020 World of Wood Conventionis being reimagined as the first Virtual World of Wood Convention from April 1-3, 2020, the International Wood Products Association (IWPA) announced.

Watch, Listen, and Learn

Webinar Series: Collaborate from Home with Microsoft Teams
Anders CPAs + Advisors is offering a free two-part recorded webinar series to help jumpstart your company’s remote work efforts using Microsoft Teams.

Managing COVID-19 Anxiety and Safety at Work
KPA, a safety and compliance company, is offering free webinars and online courses which provide guidance on how to address COVID-19 in the workplace.

UnleashWD: Leading During the Coronavirus Pandemic
With the rapid spread of the coronavirus outbreak, business leaders are tasked with providing confident, informed, and strategic direction. Employees, customers, suppliers, and others are looking to you for leadership in these trying times. Industry consultant and speaker Dirk Beveridge hosted a series of video conversations with experts to give you the insight you need to proceed forward with confidence as the days to come are unknown. These may also be viewed through NWFAU.

Helpful Resources

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has a state-by-state map showing where home builders can stay on the job.

FAQs: Employee Retention Credit Under the CARES Act

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist

Floor Covering Industry Foundation Grants and Applications

Forest Resources Association
https://www.forestresources.org/impact-of-covid-19-on-the-forest-products-industry

The National Governors Association is frequently updating information about non-essential business closures, stay-at-home orders, disaster declarations, small business loan programs, and more. Visit nga.org/coronavirus/#current to learn what’s happening in your state.

NWFA members may download a template work from home policy for your employees.

NWFA members may download a template infectious disease control policy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

National Institutes of Health
https://www.nih.gov/health-information/coronavirus

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources