6 must reads for the AEC industry today: April 8, 2020

1. Pandemic preparedness: How hospitals can adapt buildings to address worst-case scenarios (Stantec)
"In Canada, there have been significant strides toward building preparedness into our hospital designs since the SARS outbreak hit Toronto. A key element of preparedness is the ability for hospitals to retrofit or reallocate parts of their facilities, accommodating worse-case scenarios such as a serious outbreak. Here are four ways that hospitals can act now to alter their buildings for pandemic response."

2. Architecture firms churn out protective face shields using their 3D printers (BD+C)
"Architecture firms from coast to coast have suddenly turned into manufacturing centers for the production of protective face shields and face masks for use by healthcare workers fighting the COVID-10 pandemic."

3. Cities will survive the pandemic (FXCollaborative Architects)
"During this unprecedented time, we find ourselves wondering if the things we love about living in cities are going to be completely upended, or change forever. If we follow the guidelines for social distancing, we can flatten the curve of this terrible virus in the short term, while still benefiting from being an urban citizen. And in the long term, we believe that the benefits of living in cities far outweigh any adjustments we make to stay healthy and safe."

4. AIA task force launches tool for assessing COVID-19 alternative care sites (AIA)
"Tool is intended to assist non-healthcare design professionals with identifying alternative sites suitable for patient care."

5. AGC of America is Urging Firms to Participate in a April 9th Nationwide Coronavirus Safety Stand Down (AGC)
"We are asking AGC of America members across the country to hold a nationwide coronavirus safety stand down at job sites on Thursday, April 9th. If you haven’t already participated in safety stand downs like the one organized earlier this week by the AGC of California, these stand downs will provide an opportunity for you to make sure that everyone working on your job sites understands, and follows, all relevant safety guidelines provided by public health and safety officials."

6. Kogniz Health launches AI-based fever detection cameras for crowds to help limit coronavirus spread (Kogniz Health)
The Health Cam has an integrated thermal camera, optical camera and a high-resolution screen. It can be placed on a desk or counter, mounted on a wall, or placed on a tripod. As people walk by individually or in groups, their temperatures are checked in real time using highly-accurate infrared technology, and the image of any person showing an elevated temperature is displayed. Kogniz Health Cam can detect skin temperature up to 16 feet away.