Hello everyone,
As of this morning, 17 stories had been posted by Delaware Business Now, since the last newsletter landed in your Email box Friday afternoon.
Every post over the weekend has at least an indirect tie to the coronavirus situation facing the state and region. Nearly all have ties to business.
At first glance, it looks like overkill, but all contained information worth sharing.
Additional stories will be posted later today.
It is safe to say that nearly all business-related public events have been postponed or canceled for March. Many organizations plan to take a fresh look at the end of the month.
It is entirely possible that the event blackout could extend well into April. Delaware officials are strongly advising against get-togethers with more than 100 people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends no more than 50. Public schools have been closed.
We saw a hint of the future this month when Delaware Bio, the association of companies in the pharma and biotech area, held a virtual career fair. The event had been planned well in advance of the flurry of coronavirus developments.
The number of cases in the state has risen to seven with more to come as more aggressive testing takes place.
To their credit, ChristianaCare and Beebe Healthcare tested nearly 800 people on Friday and Saturday. We should see the results in the next couple of days.
Over the weekend, governmental units continued to issue updates that among other things included a suspension of jury trials and in nearby Pennsylvania the closing of “nonessential” retail stores.
Links to all weekend stories are included in a post below in this newsletter.
Finally, the Delaware Division of Small Business wants your input on the effects of the current situation on your enterprise. The information will be used to help the state seek a federal Economic Injury Declaration that would lead to lower-interest loans and other assistance.
See the story below for details on how to participate.
Stay safe and take a look at business guidelines issued by the CDC. – Doug Rainey, chief content officer