Apartment Trends Magazine May 2020 | Page 29

We also joined coalitions of like-minded organizations to raise the profile of items beyond our core priorities, including: Joined a coalition of small business organizations to press for tax code changes that would, among other things, allow firms to carryback losses from this crisis backward to reclaim taxes they previously paid and help them weather the economic storm. Worked with real estate organizations to advocate for an extension of completion deadlines for those have 1031 “like-kind exchanges” in progress to preserve liquidity in the real estate market. Collaborated with a broad group of real estate, insurance and business organizations to urge for the creation of a Business Continuity and Workers’ Protection Recovery Fund patterned after the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund. These are just a few examples of how NAA amplified our Congressional outreach through coalitions and other partnerships. NAA also deployed our most important advocacy resource – you, the membership. NAA issued a call to action asking owners and operators to contact their members of Congress and make the case for the apartment industry’s priorities. 13,000 heeded the call and made the voice of the apartment industry heard. Dozens of state and local affiliated-apartment associations and member companies around the country also harnessed the power of their members to rapidly deploy the alert through their own networks. Several Congressional key contacts also reached out to targeted members of Congress directly to make our case. As the impacts on our businesses continue to evolve, we will need all 82,000 NAA members speaking to Congress with one loud and clear voice. Moreover, the entire grassroots network of the apartment industry and our real estate partners must mobilize to ensure appropriate actions are taken to mitigate risks and additional relief for housing providers is secured. For more information on our industry advocacy efforts, or to get involved, visit the Advocacy Section of the NAA website. www.aamdhq.org www.aamdhq.org What does "Safer At Home" Mean? (Courtesy Axiom Politics) Governor Jared Polis today provided an update on how the state is responding to COVID-19 and provided further clarification on what the Safer-at-Home phase of the pandemic will look like for Coloradans. “I want to reiterate, the Safer-at-Home phase is not going back to life as normal. It’s not a major adjustment from where we have been,” said Governor Jared Polis. “Safer-at- Home means most Coloradans should continue to limit social interactions to the greatest extent possible to just individuals in your household and wear facial masks when you are out. I’m proud of how Colorado has come together during this difficult period to stay home as much as possible, protecting ourselves and our neighbors. But we still have work to do - we are not through the woods yet.” The goal of the Safer-at-Home phase is to maintain 60-65% physical distancing. This means: • Vulnerable populations and older adults must stay home unless absolutely necessary. • No group gatherings of more than 10 people. • Critical businesses will remain open with strict precautions (social distancing, masks for all employees, more frequent cleanings, etc.) • Retail businesses may open for curbside delivery and phased- in public opening with strict precautions. • Nightclubs, gyms and spas will remain closed. • Elective medical and dental procedures begin, with strict precautions to ensure adequate personal protective equipment and the ability to meet critical care needs. • Personal services (salons, tattoo parlors, dog grooming, personal training, etc.) will open with strict precautions. • K-12 schools and postsecondary institutions will continue to suspend normal in-person instruction for the 2019-2020 school year. • Telecommuting continues for offices. Starting on May 4, up to 50% of staff can work in person (with social distancing in place). • The state is not changing requirements for nursing homes and other senior care facilities. There will continue to be restrictions on visiting residents. The Governor also provided guidance and best practices for non-critical workplaces, including their employees and customers. Non-critical workplaces should be operating at no more than 50% in-person capacity and should allow employees to telework whenever possible. For more details on best practices, view the Governor’s presentation. Under the Safer-at-Home phase, local governments will have a variety of options when it comes to slowing the spread of the virus and protecting their communities. Local governments can implement the guidelines of Safer-at-Home to match the state. Local governments can go farther than the state, including but not limited to stay-at-home orders or additional protective measures. Local governments can relax guidelines more than the state. To do so, local governments will need to demonstrate proof of 14 consecutive days of decline of infection of COVID-19 in the county. They also must submit an application to CDPHE that includes a written COVID-19 suppression plan approved by the appropriate local public health authority, all hospitals within the jurisdiction and elected leadership. Gov. Polis recently signed Executive Order D 2020 041 today extending the suspension of normal in-person instruction at all public and private elementary and secondary schools in the State until the end of the 2019-2020 school year. This order does not affect plans for the 2020-2021 school year. To learn more about the Safer-at-Home phase of the pandemic and a tentative timeline, view the Governor’s presentation here and a one-pager here. To view the Governor’s news conference, click here. MAY 2020 TRENDS TRENDS MAY 2020 | 27 | 27