Coronavirus Resources and Updates

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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.


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.


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OSHA Withdraws Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard
The U.S. Department of Laborā€™s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is withdrawing the vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard issued on November 5, 2021, to protect unvaccinated employees of large employers with 100 or more employees from workplace exposure to coronavirus.

Small Business Owners Impacted by Surge in COVID Cases, Supply Chains, and Staffing Shortage to Start New Year
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Research Center released its latest COVID-19 survey assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on small businesses.

NAHB Publishes COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard Toolkit
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has published a toolkit with resources to help organizations comply with the requirement of the Occupational Safety and Health Administrationā€™s (OSHA) emergency temporary standard (ETS) on COVID-19 vaccines and testing.

New Details Emerge Related to COVID-19 Mandates
The Hardwood Federation issued an Action Alert following the official publication in the Federal Register (FR) of the Occupational Safety and Health Administrationā€™s (OSHA) Emergency Technical Standard (ETS) related to COVID-19 mitigation.

President Biden Issues COVID-19 Action Plan Including Mandated Vaccines for Private Sector Employees
On September 9, 2021 President Biden announced a COVID-19 Action Plan entitled ā€œPath out of the Pandemic,ā€ a six-pronged national strategy aimed at combating COVID-19, including requirements for private sector employees.

Half of Small Employers Report Supply Chain Disruptions Are Significantly Impacting Their Businesses
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Research Center released its latest COVID-19 survey on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected small businesses. This is the 19th survey in the series and includes updates on supply chain disruptions, staffing shortages, sales levels, and more. The survey was conducted from September 1-6, 2021, with 586 responses collected.

USDA Offers Pandemic Relief For Timber Harvesters And Haulers
Demand for wood products increased during the pandemic and combined with supply chain disruptions resulted in shortages and high prices for consumers. Some timber-related businesses may have received relief assistance through the CARES Act, but until now there has not been a relief option specifically for the timber industry. As part of the USDAā€™s Pandemic Assistance for Producers Initiative, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing up to $200 million to provide relief to timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses that have experienced losses due to COVID-19.Ā 

SBA Opens Supplemental Grant Applications for Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Awardees
The U.S. Small Business AdministrationĀ announced it will begin sending invitations for supplemental awards for theĀ Shuttered Venue Operators GrantĀ program. Per theĀ Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-profits and Venues Act, SVOG supplemental awards are to be provided to those who received an initial grant and have illustrated a 70 percent loss when comparing 2021ā€™s first-quarter revenues to the same in 2019.

Employer Guidance Regarding Mandatory Vaccinations
On August 23, 2021, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) granted full authorization to Pfizerā€™s COVID-19 vaccine, now branded as Comirnaty, and it is expected that the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will receive full authorization as well. This approval could help employers address one objection that some employees have raised about vaccine mandates.

NAHB Launches New Effort Focused on Mental Health and Wellbeing
As a part of its focus onĀ mental health and wellbeing, the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) has launched two new tools that could help individuals identify and better understand issues they may be having with mental health, substance abuse, or addiction, especially after the extremely stressful year brought by the pandemic.

When and if Employers Can Mandate COVID-19 Vaccines
On December 14, 2020, the first COVID-19 vaccines were administered in the United States, and the official vaccination roll-out began. As the roll-out continues, employers around the United States are considering whether or not they can require their employees to get vaccinated. Overall, given the severity of COVID-19, many employers have a strong case for requiring employee vaccinations, so long as their vaccination policies abide by certain exceptions.Ā 

COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfecting: Whatā€™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.

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.


NWFA Real Answers: Navigating an Uncertain Future – Supply Challenges, Hiring, and More
Michael Martin and Chris Zizza are joined by Steve Brattin of SVB Wood Floors. They discuss how to best deal with supply and demand challenges, hiring issues, employee training, and more.

AĀ video by theĀ National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA)Ā shows the essential nature of the hardwood and forest products industry.

Webinar Series: Collaborate from Home with Microsoft Teams
Anders CPAs + Advisors is offering a free two-part recorded webinar series to help jumpstart your companyā€™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.


 

One thought

  1. What do you know about the HEROES act or Patriot Pay? Any of the 2nd round stimulus packages that are to include essential workers. Where do hardwood floor installers and refinishers fall in that? Not owners but employees. Will they too be considered essential when it comes time to compensate them with whatever hazard pay type of bonus they will be handing out to essentials. Any info welcome. Thanks!

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