I’d have to say that the only good thing to have come out of the Covid-19 and the shut downs is that I believe, based on the lack of internet articles, the number of elevator and escalator accidents has decreased.  That is up until this week.  There were two worker/construction related which requires a reality check about the dangers involved with the work we do each day.  We cannot ever lose sight of this!

It’s been a tough week in and around the City of Chicago.  Today’s show has nothing to do with elevators or escalators. My heart hurts and is angry for many reasons.  Many of which don’t really make sense to me.  I do my best to convey these on the program today but realize I’ll most likely offend some people or whatever I try to say might easily be taken out of context. I’m not looking for a fight, I’m simply looking for the looting and destruction to end.  To my friends, family who are first responders, I support you. I am by your side, you are not alone. Be safe out there and look out for your loved ones.

It’s been a tough week in and around the City of Chicago.  Today’s show has nothing to do with elevators or escalators. My heart hurts and is angry for many reasons.  Many of which don’t really make sense to me.  I do my best to convey these on the program today but realize I’ll most likely offend some people or whatever I try to say might easily be taken out of context. I’m not looking for a fight, I’m simply looking for the looting and destruction to end.  To my friends, family who are first responders, I support you. I am by your side, you are not alone. Be safe out there and look out for your loved ones.

I forgot what day or week it was since we started down this pandemic path as it continues to be a blur most days.  I find myself feeling like it is ground hog day every day I roll out of bed. I am very thankful that our company is open during this time, our employees able to work but it’s getting more difficult as this goes on.  Over the weekend I commented about the job one of our state representatives was doing to “keep us all safe” and the question pointed back to me was what would you have done different? I was caught off guard by this question but appreciated being asked it. I had never thought about it what I would have done differently.  I’ll share my response on today’s show. News/Article Links: Elevators and will the pandemic change them? A rough estimate for a hypothetical elevator scenario An uneven Curve Flattening The wonderful world of semantics Elevators could thwart office re-entry State guidelines to limit elevator capacity to 4 due to Covid-19 TX Requirements Getting ready to open up for small businesses Consequences of the shut down

While much of our attention continues to engross us in this pandemic I want all of us to think this Monday about those who fought and lost their lives for our country and gave the ultimate sacrifice. We have the “freedoms” we hold so close to our hearts today because of them.  Please take a moment to think of a loved one, a friend you might have lost while they were serving our country during war or peacetime. Remember and share stories of these hero’s and their sacrifices. Keep the memories of those who have died fresh and share those stories with our younger generations. We can never repay the ultimate sacrifice they gave but we make sure we never to forget them. On Monday, as well as every day, lets remember and think about something much more important than this pandemic, our fallen Hero’s. News/Article Links: Can you catch the corona virus from riding in an elevator (https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/25727/20200519/coronavirus-safe-ride-elevator-safety-mechanics-experts-explained.htm) Some notes about Covid-19 (https://www.wired.com/story/coronavirus-guide-faq-advice/) Elevators are a claustrophobic coronavirus nightmare (https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/05/elevators-are-a-claustrophobic-coronavirus-nightmare-there-may-be-new-rules-for-riding-them.html) How smart city planning could slow future pandemics (https://www.wired.com/story/coronavirus-covid-19-urban-planning-health/#intcid=recommendations_wired-bottom-recirc-similar_db26faa4-7c6c-43e0-be9f-87fd891a688c_text2vec1-mab) Changes to reduce liability? (https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2020/05/12/see-you-later-elevator-office-towers-to-impose.html) IoT and elevator market forecast report (https://3wnews.org/uncategorised/907683/iot-in-elevators-market-new-business-opportunities-huawei-technologies-co-ltd-thyssenkrupp-ag-soracom-inc-hitachi-ltd-liftinzicht-datahoist-robustel-and-more/) It’s the week of releasing market forecasts it seems (https://www.newsdistinct.com/covid-19-impact-temporary-surge-in-sales-of-elevator-safety-system-product-observed-amid-panic-buying-by-consumers/) Memorial Day – Let us never forget (https://youtu.be/GcclQjWIJns) Remember them always (https://youtu.be/7Zv8GKIqhMc)

As the coronavirus dominates every aspect of our lives today as well as what we hear on the news or read online I was reminded last night while having dinner with my boys something very important which I’m going to share on the show today.  As each of our states attempt to put in place plans to reopen some look to be doing as good a job as can be expected while others are struggling to create one that has actual measurable goals. Hang in there, this is long from over and keep doing what you’ve been doing to keep yourself, your coworkers and your families safe. A little common sense should go along way.   News/Article Links:   Thyssenkrupp sees coronavirus cash squeeze despite elevator sale (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-thyssenkrupp/thyssenkrupp-sees-coronavirus-cash-squeeze-despite-elevator-sale-letter-idUSKBN22F0IK)   Otis – Florence Factory confirms COVID-19 Case (https://www.wbtw.com/health/coronavirus/otis-elevator-confirms-covid-19-case-at-florence-factory/)   Tentative date for elevator repairs set at county office building (https://www.effinghamradio.com/2020/05/05/tentative-date-for-elevator-repairs-set-at-county-office-building/)   Social distancing in elevators (https://wkow.com/2020/04/28/getting-answers-social-distancing-in-elevators/)   VTE shares enhanced A17.1-2019 table of contents (https://www.vtesolution.com/a17-1-enhanced-table-of-contents)   Old article but terrible headline (https://www.insider.com/man-dies-elevator-accident-how-common-dangerous-2019-8)

Terrible news out of Oklahoma today as news was shared of work place fatality involving an elevator mechanic. Even in today’s fear induced Coronavirus/Covid-19 world we cannot forget the steps needed to ensure those working, inspecting and riding on elevators, escalators and moving walkways are safe. These dangers will never change and we must not loose sight of this! The potential dangers inside an elevator shaft can’t even begin to compare to Covid-19 and we cannot forget it! While each of us worries about washing our hands, wearing a face mask and other significant ways to keep our coworkers and families safe the reality is that their are probably many more ways you could die during the course of the day after rolling out of bed than if you were sick with Covid-19. If we spent the same amount of effort, money and time on safety we would be safer because of it.  Do we need to be scared out of our minds to get to this point? It sure seems so. So take a step back, take a mile step back, and look at all the dangerous things that you may face each day.  The ones that could take your life in a second. Think about how many times you were crossing the street with your head buried in your phone not paying attention, when you sent that one text while you were driving thinking it was okay to send just one, when you didn’t lockout tag out that machine because you thought you would be safe enough. Each day there are monsters out there ready to get us. We need to show the same attention to these as we have Covid-19. We can’t forget the other “invisible enemy’s” waiting to change our life forever! Be safe, work safe, and share safety with your coworkers and family! News/Article Links: Accident OK claims elevator mechanic (https://www.enidnews.com/news/updated-osha-to-investigate-fatal-vance-accident-victim-identified/article_40694bb0-8962-11ea-8174-e7ecde360bcb.html) Wall Street Tries to Figure Out How to Get Back to the Office (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-26/citigroup-s-elevator-quandary-shows-struggle-to-reopen-offices) Distancing at reopened offices will mean long elevator lines (https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/elevator-questions-highlight-ups-and-downs-of-reopening-offices) Barclays CEO says ‘putting 7,000 people in a building may end (https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2020/0429/1135493-barclays-bank-q1-results/) Social distancing, cleaning in tight spaces fight infection (https://www.galvnews.com/news/free/article_910196b1-f1f7-55f5-a2df-03b8cad79846.html) Elevator and Escalator Market Set for Rapid Growth by 2026? (https://coleofduty.com/military-news/2020/04/28/elevator-and-escalator-market-set-for-rapid-growth-forecast-by-2024-kone-schmitt-sohn-ramboll/) Bringing some much-needed humor to Covid-19 (https://youtu.be/wVs5AyjzwRM)

Thanks for all the well wishes for my mom, they are greatly appreciated more than you know. This week’s show has a lot of article links which talk about elevators, the coronavirus as they relate and other pieces from experts or should I say columnists who share advice that should be common sense. When did we lose our ability to apply common sense to situations which affect our health and well-being? Why is it so difficult to comprehend the importance of sanitation and our keeping the bad stuff we cannot see from making us sick? I’m frustrated as a father, a son, and business owner. Thanks for letting me share these thoughts with you. They may be way off base and I’m no expert but I’m not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  Stay safe everyone.   News/Article Links: Coronavirus FAQ’s: How Risky Is An Elevator Ride? (https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/04/17/836830157/coronavirus-faqs-can-sunlight-kill-the-virus-how-risky-is-an-elevator-ride) Walmart customer uses pepper spray on others boarding elevator (https://www.wtvm.com/2020/04/22/walmart-customer-uses-pepper-spray-others-boarding-elevator-amid-coronavirus-fears/) NYCHA Housing Elevator Problems (https://thecity.nyc/2020/04/nycha-tenants-stuck-in-elevator-agony-with-outage-spate.html) Advice on how to live responsibly during this pandemic? (https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/katienotopoulos/how-to-plague-advice-on-elevators-voting-and-hogging) And here it comes, social distancing in elevators (https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/news/local_news/beachwood-asks-to-limit-number-of-people-using-elevators/article_4d25a8b0-7b31-11ea-803e-070074f4c305.html) Can I go outside? (https://gothamist.com/news/ask-epidemiologist-can-i-go-outside-or-use-elevator-should-i-wear-mask) Called a jerk when I didn’t share my elevator (https://www.burnabynow.com/opinion/blogs/opinion-should-i-share-my-burnaby-elevator-rides-during-a-pandemic-1.24118449) Social distancing in elevators (https://www.pix11.com/news/coronavirus/social-distancing-in-elevators-how-the-city-says-its-helping-keep-new-yorkers-safe) We will get through this Chicago (https://www.chicagobusiness.com/opinion/we-will-get-through-chicago) Otis Spin-Off: Most profitable elevator company at lowest valuation (https://seekingalpha.com/article/4337630-otis-spin-off-profitable-elevator-company-lowest-valuation) Watch your kids, mom charged with Child abuse (https://reason.com/2019/11/21/jiterria-lightner-jaiden-child-abuse-escalator-death/) Pritzker releases 761 inmates (https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/article/Pritzker-criticized-over-quiet-commutations-15208160.php)

The last two shows I’ve been struggling with what I’m going to be talking about. I wake up each day, and for a moment think to myself that everything is normal, life is good, then realize that Covid-19 is not a dream and we’re all living this nightmare together.  I continue to watch our Governor’s and the Whitehouse daily press briefing each day hoping for a glimpse of optimism that will allow us all to get back to our own normal lives. But despite the numbers, the flattening of the curve, that day seems so far out of sight.  Hang in there my friends, as an industry we’re going to struggle through this together.  Keep yourself safe, keep your family safe. Thank you for listening and allowing me to share and vent with you. I hope it brings some comfort in knowing that while we each may feel alone or helpless during this pandemic we are not. Good show today, one that I’m proud to have produced for you.

As optimistic as I’m attempting to seem it’s getting more difficult every day to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I’ll share more on this during the show today.  Continue to keep you and your family safe by washing your hands and sanitizing commonly touched work areas and make sure not to touch your eyes, ears or mouth unless your hands are clean.  This will help you stay healthy against all the bad stuff out there, not just Covid-19.  Some other advice I’d like to share is stay away from Facebook and the toxic posts you see out there. The news is just as bad. If you want to see what your governor or the Corona Virus Task Force has to share watch those briefings each day and form your own conclusion. The media rarely covers the entire briefing unfortunately.  The year off from this show has taught me that there are so many people out there who share information like they are experts when they aren’t. The media twists and turns and pounds home whatever they can to gain their viewing/subscriber base. The internet has become an ugly place and it’s truly sad to see.