Maintenance Never Stops

It Was Never an Option to Shut Down Maintenance During the Pandemic

January 2020 began as a normal year, then a few months later COVID-19 hit. Seemingly overnight the country changed. In an unprecedented move, the government began shutting down travel, hospitality, sporting events, the list went on and on. However, we learned quickly that some services could not shut down.

 
Fire departments, police stations, grocery stores, gas stations were deemed essential. The word “essential” became a new phrase. A phrase a lot of us believed we understood. We quickly found being “essential” is subject to interpretation and not everyone agreed on what that meant. One thing we could all agree on, anything to that had to do with our home was essential.

 
It is estimated there are 129.69 million housing units throughout our country. As we are aware, many of those are apartment homes. During the pandemic, more people found themselves working from home. Homes have lighting, bathrooms, appliances, and HVAC systems. All which people rely on to work properly. In apartment homes, what did everyone do if these things no longer worked or needed repairs in this new pandemic gripped realism? Well, they did what they always did and called maintenance.

 
Many of our management companies quickly sought out professionals to create policies and procedures to navigate the new challenges we faced. They had numerous conference calls via Zoom or Teams to talk through the new challenges while social distancing. They closed offices to keep team members safe. However, maintenance jobs did not stop.

 
I can tell you directly from my experience, the maintenance teams headed straight into these unfamiliar tasks with trepidation and an element of individual risk. These individuals picked up their tools and continued to work in apartment homes. However, this time, they brought some new tools. They wore masks, gloves, shields, goggles to protect themselves and residents. They also sanitized work locations before and after they started a job. They worked through emergency service requests. They worked in apartments when individuals were ill. They worked in units when people passed away. They just selflessly worked!

 
Often hear about the first responders such as fire fighters, police, nurses, and doctors and how essential they are. However, in my opinion, the maintenance team members were also essential in keeping the country moving forward. My heart goes out to all the maintenance team members, medical associates, public safety, sanitation, plumbers, and electricians. They are clearly giving their absolute all and continue to do so every day!

 
Recently, our company held a “Maintenance Appreciation” week. It included gifts, food, and time off. All of which were greatly appreciated by our maintenance teams. This is a small token of appreciation to them and their efforts. With that, I hope you will stop and thank your maintenance teams as they are part of an extremely hard-working group that never stopped working!

 
It’s been said that positivity can be just as infectious as a disease. Based on what I see and hear today, I am positive I see the light at the end of the tunnel.