Melinda (“Mindy”) Gentile, Peckar & Abramson’s Diversity and Inclusion Chair and Partner in the firm’s Miami office, was quoted in Engineering News-Record‘s article, “Virus Snarls Hurricane Preparation,” published on June 3, 2020.

Discussing the effect of the intersection of hurricane season and the coronavirus pandemic on construction, she says “a major weather event could exacerbate the virus’s already demonstrated disruptive power on material and staffing resources” and that “contractors can’t look to one plan for weather events and another one for COVID-19” – “an integrated approach in preparing for both threats is vital.” As an example, Mindy notes “operating with a smaller workforce due to labor shortages or to comply with social distancing measures will also mean fewer people available to secure a site ahead of an approaching storm.”  Briefly discussing construction contracts, she “cautions that while many construction contracts may include provisions for hurricane-related cost and schedule effects, not all clearly deal with pandemic issues.”

For those with access, the full article can be read here.