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| U.S. Department of Homeland Security |
The Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency released an advisory memorandum on the identification of essential critical infrastructure workers during the COVID-19 response.
Although it is “advisory” in nature it is up to the individual states on whether they want to take action or not. Below is a 10,000-foot overview list of those jobs that Homeland Security deems essential.
- Healthcare/Public Health
- Law Enforcement, Public Safety, and First Responders
- Food and Agriculture Workers
- Energy Workers
- Water and Wastewater Workers
- Transportation and Logistics
- Public Works and Infrastructure Support Services
- Communications and Information Technology
- Other Community or Government-based Operations and Essential Functions
- Critical Manufacturing
- Hazardous Materials Workers
- Financial Services
- Chemical Workers
- Defense Industrial Base
- Commercial Facilities
- Residential/Shelter Facilities and Services
- Hygiene Products and Services
Real estate has also been deemed an essential service. The memorandum states “Residential and commercial real estate services, including settlement services.”
The document was put out to give advisory guidance of defining essential critical infrastructure workers allowing them to continue working while still promoting these workers to practice social distancing. By deeming these positions essential, it ensures that our nation is not completely shut down to the point of no return. It is also helping our economy to stay on an even keel and keeping the bottom from dropping out of our stock market. This link above will send you to the pdf of the whole document with all the details if you would like to read further into what’s essential and what’s not.
Market News
As of this writing, the Dow Jones index had recovered to over 21,000. A lot of our recovery will depend on people who have immunity going back to work after the epidemic is over and if businesses are able to restart. The hope is that we don’t have a lot of businesses going out of business, therefore, being unable to restart once the epidemic has passed.
It is interesting how easily it has been for some restaurants to switch over to online and delivery sales. There has been a huge call for delivery drivers to deliver not only for restaurants but for grocery stores, and online shopping services.
Another hidden gem that has happened with the epidemic is that rental prices around the U.S. are falling a bit especially in the high-rent areas of the country. With people being laid off or furloughed right now they are just not able to support the rents in high-end communities.
Victoria Cottle is a Realtor® in the Greenville South Carolina area and if you, a friend or a family member need assistance with selling or buying a home I can help. Referrals and people needing relocation assistance are welcome! Search Single Family homes in Greenville. Search Condos and Townhomes in Greenville.
Please contact Victoria Cottle by email thevictoriacottlegroup@gmail.com or call (864) 275-3953 for your real estate needs in the Upstate of South Carolina!