Even as communities around the world pull together to battle coronavirus (COVID-19), the outbreak provides fertile ground for scammers. Authorities are striving to keep pace with con artists peddling an array of schemes. For example, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the Food and Drug Administration have sent warning letters to several sellers of unapproved and misbranded products such as teas, essential oils and colloidal silver. The FDA stresses that no vaccines, drugs or investigational products are approved to treat or prevent the virus. “Cybercriminals will often take advantage of trending topics in the news, such as the coronavirus, to try and prey on consumers using fear and urgency tactics,” says Gary McAlum, senior vice president and chief security officer for financial services provider USAA, who was quoted in americanbanker.com. “Nontargeted phishing campaigns using COVID-19 as a lure in the subject line have been observed since January. These cover the range of pre-existing threats out there, including information-stealing malware,” adds Steven Silberstein, CEO of the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center, an industry consortium that promotes cybersecurity. According to the FTC and other authorities, online communications that should set off alarm bells include: Email from unknown sources. Analyze URLs carefully before clicking on them. If an email comes from a source that you think is legitimate and requests you click on a link, find another way to validate it. Correspondence claiming to be from legitimate sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization. A bogus version of Johns Hopkins University’s popular coronavirus map has been used to embed malware. Offers for treatment or prevention. Solicitations for investment in companies offering in-demand supplies or products pitched as preventing, detecting or curing the virus. Also look out for emails...
Multifamily and COVID-19
Yardi Matrix National Report
It seems no industry is immune from the impact of the COVID-19 virus, and that includes multifamily real estate. The global spread of the COVID-19 virus has brought a technical end to the 11-year bull market in equities, forced a European travel ban and sent Treasury rates to historic lows. According to the latest multifamily report from Yardi Matrix, the industry may feel the effects of COVID-19 as it spreads across the nation, although the rental housing industry remains well capitalized and strong enough to weather a modest slowdown. “Owners and operators may face short-term rent collection issues if there is a tightening in the employment market, and value-add projects will likely slow,” states the special report from Yardi Matrix. “However, most real estate investors are poised to sustain their operations and may see an investment opportunity as the market shocks continue.” Travel, hotel, restaurant and trade industries will likely be hurt the worst, as business and leisure travel draw nearly to a halt. “It seems inevitable that the U.S. economy will experience a technical recession,” states the report. “Business travel has all but stopped and personal travel has slowed considerably, leading the airline industry to be one of the hardest-hit sectors. Restaurants and tourism will also feel significant pain as trips are canceled and social distancing increases.” While the data has yet to reflect the impacts of COVID-19 (February employment growth was very strong, jobless claims did not increase, and rent growth continued its steady increase), the coming weeks and months are likely to show employment cuts and a slowdown in trade with widespread impacts. Learn more by downloading the full Yardi Matrix special multifamily report at yardimatrix.com Yardi Matrix offers the industry’s most comprehensive market intelligence tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders and property managers who underwrite and manage investments in commercial real...
Senior Living Safety
Coronavirus Preparation
The novel coronavirus, officially named COVID-19, is spreading globally, and senior living communities are especially at risk due to the age of their residents. We’ve collected these industry resources and recommendations to help senior living providers keep everyone healthy and thriving. Coronavirus Intro Video – WHO This quick video from the World Health organization covers the essentials of what the disease is, where it came from and what symptoms to watch out for. COVID-19 Webinar Recording – AHCA/NCAL This resource is free and open to AHCA/NCAL members as well as the public. The webinar recording discusses how to prevent the spread of the disease, and there are additional videos on how to recognize and manage an outbreak. AHCA/NCAL are also maintaining an emergency preparedness page for COVID-19. Coronavirus Toolkit – Argentum Argentum will continually update this comprehensive site with new information. Currently, they recommend senior living providers take five critical actions: Handwash: Remind residents and staff about handwashing best practices. Clean: Periodically sanitize major touch points (doorknobs, handrails, phones, etc.) and use effective cleaning products. Monitor health: Practice self-care by getting rest, eating nutritious meals and staying away from others with flu-like symptoms. Encourage staff to report any symptoms they or residents have. Follow plans: Review your emergency plans and retrain staff as needed. Communicate: Find out what to communicate, who to communicate with and how to keep channels open. This includes your local health department and other regulatory agencies as well as your suppliers, vendors and maintenance. Advice for Calm Preparedness – LeadingAge Given the understandable confusion and worry that COVID-19 has created, LeadingAge have put together answers to common questions from senior living providers about the disease. There are plenty of best practices for preparing residents and staff. “Attention Visitors” Sign –...
Resident Health and Safety
Multifamily Resources
From stomach bugs to the flu, viral outbreaks are a regular occurrence anywhere where community exists. When it comes to a new risk, such as COVID-19, property managers may feel that you are facing unknown terrain. Fortunately, a new release from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) sheds light on how to best care for your community. Coronavirus identification and transmission COVID-19, commonly called the coronavirus, is a respiratory disease. In late February, the US reported its first cases of COVID-19 in California, Oregon, and Washington. The first potential outbreak in a long-term care facility occurred in Washington. Multifamily and senior housing providers are advised take measures to promote resident health. Coronavirus is most often spread by human-to-human contact, likely when the respiratory droplets produced by an infected person are inhaled by others. It is possible that the virus may spread when the respiratory droplets remain on a surface that is later touched by others. Coronavirus is “spreading easily and sustainably” within communities, reports the CDC. Within the first two weeks of exposure, fever, cough, and shortness of breath may present. Learn what to do if you believe you are infected. Current data suggests that most cases of COVID-19 are mild, and only 16% of cases result in serious illness or death. Vulnerable populations, such as seniors and those with existing conditions of the heart or respiratory system, are at greater risk of serious illness. Preventing coronavirus spread in the leasing office There is a lot about the spread of COVID-19 that is still unknown. The following guidelines have been issued by the CDC based upon what is known about similar coronaviruses. The list below may help minimize exposure to respiratory illnesses in general. Protect staff If your employees feel sick or are symptomatic, encourage them to stay home. Your sick leave policy should support their wellness and quarantining illness. If employees report an ill member of their household, implement or maintain flexible policies that allow them to stay home and care for them. Hygiene and cleanliness Facilitate good hygiene on the premises. Provide disinfectant cleaning materials, disinfectant hand gels, tissues and touch-free disposal bins. Also promote good hygiene with coughing and sneezing. Remind staff members to cover their cough or sneeze with a tissue, throw the tissue away, and then wash their hands for at least 20 seconds. In the absence of soap and water, a disinfectant gel of at least 60% alcohol should be used. Frequently disinfect public surfaces such as door handles, bank transaction keypads, touchscreens, desks and other workspaces. Communicate If an employee is confirmed to have COVID-19, employers should notify fellow staff members of their possible exposure as well. Maintain the confidentiality of the infected coworker as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employees exposed to COVID-19 should refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure. Maintain communication with your public health department. Check for updates that can help to prevent an outbreak, mitigate risk, and control the spread of infection in cases of an outbreak. Preventing coronavirus spread throughout the community Distribute ways to prevent the spread of viruses at home via multiple platforms such as your community portal, emails, and newsletters. It may also be beneficial to post information in public spaces. The National Apartment Association (NAA) has issued best practice guidelines for dealing with coronavirus in communities. The organization is also hosting a free webinar in conjunction with IREM on Tuesday, March 10. You can sign up for that here. The developing story COVID-19 outbreak is continually under investigation. The CDC is updating its site as the situation develops. Click here to check the CDC website for updates. Get the full list of ways to prevent the spread of viruses in your...
