Munley Law Blog

Decrease in traffic leads to increase in speed, reckless driving

Nationwide, stay-at-home orders have left typically congested roads and highways with much less traffic. Unfortunately, some drivers have taken the empty road as an invitation to disregard traffic laws. Some states report seeing increased numbers of people pulled over for speeding, and some have even reported increases in traffic fatalities.

With shelter at home rules in place throughout much of the country, fewer people are out on the roads.  Many drivers see the open roads as an opportunity to surpass speed limits without impunity.  They feel like they are alone on the roads.  But in many states, police have issued record numbers of speeding tickets over the past 2 months. Tickets are being issued on both freeways and local roads.

The increased number of speeders and the excessive speed that these cars are traveling at, appear to be directly contributing to increased numbers of accidents and fatalities.  […]

Pennsylvania to Begin Easing Covid-19 Restrictions

Portions of PA will soon begin to have their coronavirus restrictions eased. Beginning on May 8, 24 counties located in the north-central and northwestern parts of the state will be the first areas of Pennsylvania to let many businesses reopen and allow individuals to leave their homes, with safety precautions. These counties were chosen as they are less densely populated and have been least impacted by Covid-19.

These counties are having their restrictions eased under the first step in Governor Tom Wolf’s detailed reopening process.   The plan incorporates a three phase matrix to determine when to ease coronavirus based restrictions.  

Red Phase

• All of PA currently under Red Phase.
• Stay-at-home
• While not strictly enforced, travel for life-sustaining emergencies only encouraged
• Large gatherings prohibited
• Essential business only can remain open
• Restaurants and bars limited to carry out and delivery service
• Schools and most child care faciities closed
• Congregate care and prison restrictions in place

  […]

New Covid-19 Treatment Approved

Researchers have been working around the clock to develop both a vaccine to protect against COVID-19 and medications for its treatment. One experimental drug, remdesivir,  has received emergency-use authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) according to the New York Times. 

Remdesivir, is manufactured by Gilead Sciences, a California based biopharmaceutical company.  The drug was originally developed to combat Ebola.

CNN has reported that a preliminary trial of the antiviral drug conducted by the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), showed that the use of remdesivir shortened the duration of the coronavirus in patients by 31% from 15 to 11 days.  It may also reduce the likelihood of death, with a mortality rate of 8% for those taking remdesivir versus 11.6% for those in the placebo group. The test included 1,090 patients worldwide.

Typically, […]

Business Interruption Insurance

Business interruption insurance is designed to cover the loss of income normally earned by a business as a result of the forced suspension of operations. Unlike property insurance, which covers physical damage, business interruption insurance protects against lost income while the business is closed, and during the rebuilding period after the closing. 

Given the current coronavirus pandemic, the Governor of the state of PA, along with governors in many states throughout the country, has issued a state-wide mandate requiring all non-essential businesses to close. As a result, businesses are looking to their business interruption insurance to help them survive. 

Most business interruption policies will cover:

Profits that would have been earned, based on prior financial statements

Fixed costs still being incurred despite the closure

Extra expenses to allow the business to continue to operate until a return to more normal circumstances

Employee wages to allow you to retain your employees

Taxes to allow you to remain current on taxes and avoid penalties

Loan payments 

When businesses are allowed to re-open, […]

Paycheck Protection Program – What You Need to Know

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a federal relief program managed by the Small Business Administration (SBA).  The program is  designed to help small businesses keep their workforce employed during the COVID pandemic.  The financial assistance is structured as a loan, to be forgiven if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks, and the funds are used primarily for payroll. Up to one quarter of the loan can be used toward rent, mortgage interest or utilities within specific parameters. 

The initial $349 billion commitment ran out in roughly two weeks, without meeting the total funding needs of small businesses.  On Tuesday, April 21, the Senate approved an additional $310 billion in PPP funding. The bill is widely expected to be signed into law later this week.  Some of the regulations pertaining to the program can be complicated so you should contact your local lending institution or refer to the SBA website. […]