READER Q&A Construction essential for any city
Have a coronavirus question? Email jchristo@gannett.com and include the subject line “Coping question.” Please include your first name, last initial and hometown.
Question: Could you please explain why cities go on lockdown and then put things like construction-residential or commercial on the exception list? I thought the idea was to keep people at home to help the spread. No one needs concrete or anything built or surveyed in the next two weeks.
BB S., Memphis
Residential and commercial construction will continue because they are both considered essential to supporting a city’s infrastructure along with water, sewer, gas, electrical, roads and highways.
Also, Nashville Mayor John Cooper’s office pointed out that several residential properties were damaged by the March 3 tornadoes and need to be worked on. Also, construction that is in progress can pose safety risks. His office also pointed out that other cities with Safer at Home orders, including New York, Miami, Los Angeles and San Francisco, include construction as an essential service.
Other industries that will so far be uninterrupted include internet and telecommunications services and distribution and manufacturing.
Q: What do you do if you are a waiter or waitress and the restaurant closes or cuts back? Can you file for unemployment? Mel C.
If a business closes because of COVID-19 and employees lose their job as a result, they would qualify for unemployment benefits in Tennessee, as long as other eligible criteria are met, according to the Tennessee Department of Labor.
If a worker is put on temporary, unpaid leave, as some restaurants have done, they also should qualify.
Employees working fewer hours can access unemployment benefits if they are working all available hours and earn less than their weekly benefit.
If a part-time worker is out of work or working reduced hours, they are also eligible.
Q: Are hotels essential businesses that can stay open? Barbara M.
Hotels are considered essential businesses. While they may remain open, many hotel companies have reported sharp declines in demand. Some have decided to close or reduce staff.
If you must travel, you are encouraged to follow social distancing protocols and shelter in place once you return home to avoid possibly spreading the virus in your community. Tourist attractions are not considered essential and will be closed.