This month marks my seven-year anniversary with BNP Media, and seven years writing about the trades. When I first started, I knew next to nothing about HVAC and plumbing, not to mention I didn’t have any contacts or friends within the industry. 

The smart home market is booming. There are now connected devices in practically every room of the house — smart lights, smart cameras, smart door locks, smart refrigerators, smart HVAC systems, and yes, smart plumbing devices. 

Each year on October 15, Global Handwashing Day advocates for how a simple and inexpensive action – handwashing with soap and water – can stop the spread of colds, flus and other infectious diseases. This year, due to the coronavirus, the international day has taken on new-found prominence.

The World Plumbing Council (WPC) has facilitated a partnership between the International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH) and the Rwanda Plumbers Organization (RPO) to support community handwashing and public health awareness activities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

ServiceTitan also recently made 70,000 surgical masks available to plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians and residential and commercial service professionals who continue to provide essential services to the public during the pandemic.

Noah Klein has implemented strict employee protocols for working in the field during the global pandemic, and is personally involved in any calls with COVID-19 symptoms or diagnosis.

I was intrigued by a post on Facebook from Jason Barrett. 

Michael Petri spoke with me from the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S. — New York City.