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As concerns grow about another wave of COVID-19 infections this fall and winter, the world has passed a grim milestone: 1 million deaths from COVID-19, Here’s the latest on the resurgence of COVID-19 both in the United States and abroad.

• Europe prepares for another wave, sans lockdowns: Cities across Europe are fighting a surge in COVID-19 infections by strengthening social distancing rules—but they aren’t returning to full lockdowns, like those that were put in place this spring, .
• The numbers for the U.S.: More than 20 U.S. states report COVID-19 spikes over the past week. Meanwhile, an analysis of Johns Hopkins University data found that only 11 states saw cases decline more than 10% in that same time period, . The remaining states reported level infection rates.
• Trouble in the Midwest: Positive COVID-19 test rates have risen above 25% in some Midwest states, . North Dakota’s positive test rate is averaging 30%, while South Dakota’s has reached 26%. “The World Health Organization considers rates above 5% concerning because it suggests there are more cases in the community that have not yet been uncovered,” Reuters explains.

51�Թ��� in action: As the nation prepares for a potential uptick in COVID-19 cases, it becomes even more important to encourage greater adherence to safety practices that limit community spread. A few weeks ago, the 51�Թ��� launched the “Creators Respond Commitment” to help manufacturing companies encourage wider outside-of-work compliance with safety practices. You can access the email templates to share this campaign with your team members at .

The effects of racial inequality can be difficult to quantify. But a new report from Citigroup tries to calculate some of the damage, putting a dollar amount on the economic impact of racial discrimination over the past 20 years, .

This analysis found that racial inequality and discrimination reduced U.S. GDP by more than $16 trillion over that time period. That total includes money that Black Americans lost due to inequalities in salary, housing, access to higher education and lending to business owners.

Here’s what manufacturers are doing to address racial inequality in the industry:

• Pledge for Action: In June, the 51�Թ���’s Executive Committee unanimously passed an 11-point commitment plan for manufacturers to advance justice, equality and opportunity for Black people and all people of color.
• Closing the opportunity gap: Last week, during the 51�Թ��� board meeting, manufacturers committed to taking 50,000 tangible actions to increase equity and pay in the industry, as well as creating 300,000 pathways to job opportunities for Black people and all people of color. As a result, manufacturing will reflect the diversity of the overall U.S. workforce by 2030.

Last night, The Manufacturing Institute hosted the 2020 STEP Ahead Awards, honoring 130 women in manufacturing for their leadership within the industry and the example they set for other women in manufacturing. Though it was a virtual event, the upbeat spirit of these women, who are helping the industry support America through the pandemic, was —with a massive crowd tuning in online.

Here are a few key quotes from the speakers:

• STEP Chair Erika Peterman, BASF senior vice president for chemical intermediates North America, said, “[In the future], women will continue to be key contributors to our economy. . . . Manufacturing in the future may not look like it does today, but it will be around, and there will be opportunities for professional growth for all workers. And lastly, STEP Ahead will continue to provide programs and forums that foster and encourage females to enter the world of manufacturing and pursue their careers.”
• Manufacturing Institute Executive Director Carolyn Lee: “The most famous symbol of manufacturing in America is a woman, Rosie the Riveter. Rosie inspired women to work in America’s arsenal of democracy during WWII. Today, manufacturers have mobilized to fight a new war, against COVID-19. . . . And that wouldn’t be possible without a dedicated, talented, innovative and diverse workforce. And that includes the women we honor here tonight, who will inspire a new generation.”
• 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons: “I couldn’t wait to raise a glass to all of you tonight. . . . I can’t think of anyone I’d rather toast than the women of manufacturing, because you are the backbone. . . . Our industry will rise to any challenge, so long as talented and driven and heroic women are leading the charge. That’s our past, that’s our present, and there is no doubt that’s our future.”

And there was more . . . The program also featured an appearance by STEP Vice Chair Kathy Wengel (Johnson & Johnson executive vice president and chief global supply chain officer), a cameo from Olympic gold medalist and WNBA MVP Lisa Leslie and a musical performance by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The gala’s hosts were 51�Թ��� Senior Vice President of Communications and Brand Strategy Erin Streeter and PROCEPT BioRobotics Director of Manufacturing Akhila Bhiman, who was also a 2018 STEP Ahead honoree.

The success of MFG Day every year depends on the grassroots efforts of manufacturers and manufacturing-supporting organizations across the country. While COVID-19 has changed many MFG Day plans, it hasn’t changed that core reality. But this year, those efforts will be enhanced by virtual MFG Day events organized by The Manufacturing Institute.

• First, on Friday, Oct. 2, at 12:00 p.m. EDT, there’s a program for America’s students headlined by The Space Gal, Emily Dawn Calandrelli, host and co-executive producer of Netflix’s Emily’s Wonder Lab and FOX’s Xploration Outer Space. It’s designed to get students excited about opportunities in the manufacturing industry. The program is presented by Salesforce, PTC and Rockwell Automation, and you can find more information .
• Second, on Monday, Oct. 5, at 12:00 p.m. EDT, there’s a program to help teachers learn more about what’s possible for their students in a modern manufacturing career. The program is headlined by Allen Gannett, technology entrepreneur and author of “The Creative Curve,” and presented by PTC. You can find more information and register for the event .

Stay tuned: The MI will be announcing more events in the coming days, including an event for parents—presented by Walmart—highlighting the impact of manufacturers during the pandemic and featuring an interview by legendary broadcaster Elvis Duran.

The strategy: “MFG Day has always been a grassroots movement led by innovative manufacturers. In the face of this year’s challenges, we’re responding by creating opportunities to reach more students, parents and educators,” said MI Executive Director Carolyn Lee. “We are really excited about our opportunity to extend MFG Day with digital programming into more homes and communities, including underrepresented communities, and improve the perception of modern manufacturing careers more broadly.”

The U.S. Department of Labor announced a rule that would classify gig workers as contractors rather than employees, according to (subscription).

The rule: The new rule identifies two main factors as determinants of whether a person should be classified as a contractor or an employee.

• The first is how much a company controls the way a worker performs his or her job.
• The second is how much a worker can profit based on initiative, as opposed to earning a steady salary regardless of performance.

The upshot: The rule could likely shift the employment status of millions of Americans, including many in manufacturing. If they use contractors, companies do not have to pay the minimum wage, overtime, a portion of social security taxes, or unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation insurance.

A word from the 51�Թ���: “When finalized, the rule could solidify the use of independent contractors, including in manufacturing. Independent contractor arrangements benefit companies and workers by increasing flexibility and streamlining the human resources processes,” explains 51�Թ��� Director of Labor and Employment Policy Drew Schneider. He adds:

• “Manufacturers are currently operating under a confusing patchwork of state and federal laws that have defined independent contractors in numerous ways, causing legal uncertainty and unnecessary compliance costs.”
• “Manufacturers and their business partners will benefit from a clear and updated independent contractor standard that protects this important business practice and allows 51�Թ��� members to focus on producing America’s essential goods and services.”

The Securities and Exchange Commission changed an important standard for publicly traded companies today—the amount of stock that a shareholder must have to put proposals on the proxy ballot (which the full shareholder base votes on every year).

It might sound like a small thing, but this “threshold” is a big deal. 51�Թ��� Director of Tax and Domestic Economic Policy Charles Crain broke it down in a recent interview.

The previous standard: Previously, any shareholder holding $2,000 in stock for one year could put a question on the ballot, Crain explains. Since that’s a relatively low number, activists would go to dozens of companies and buy $2,000 of stock at each—not because they were interested in the companies’ performance, but because they wanted a platform on which to debate political issues.

Here’s a data point that illustrates the extent of the problem: In 2019, just three people sponsored 38% of all shareholder proposals at Fortune 250 companies, Crain says.

The resubmission problem: Once something was on the proxy ballot, it was also easy to resubmit it the following year, adds Crain. A ballot question only needed 3% support among shareholders to stay on the ballot for a second year. If it was voted down a second time, it had to get 6% to move forward the next year and just 10% after that. “Ninety percent of shareholders could reject a measure forever, and it could still get resubmitted every year,” Crain says.

What’s changed? The SEC’s new rule creates tiered thresholds, which will give more power to long-term shareholders.

• To submit a proposal after holding stock for just one year, an investor now needs to hold $25,000 in stock.
• If an investor holds stock for two years, the threshold drops to $15,000.
• If an investor holds stock for three years, it drops to $2,000.

The rule also changes resubmission thresholds to 5% after one vote, 15% after two votes and 25% after three votes to keep a failing question on the ballot in consecutive years. Some measures take time to gain support, and the rule allows for that while taking a more commonsense approach, Crain says.

Why it matters: Holding repeated proxy votes can be time- and resource-intensive for companies, says Crain, and politically motivated proposals distract businesses and investors from the real issues that drive long-term value creation for shareholders.

The 51�Թ���’s actions: Crain says, “The 51�Թ��� has called for proxy reforms for years, and we’ve engaged with both and the to highlight the need to modify the proxy ballot thresholds. Last November, 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons praised the SEC for proposing a rule to combat activists that ‘pressure manufacturers to focus on political issues at the expense of company growth,’ and our on the proposal helped lead to today’s final rule. We’ve pushed for this outcome for years—and we’re glad the SEC has come down on the right side.”

As a kid, Amanda Wade Hodges designed intricate items with her dad for her school’s Machine Day and created complicated Halloween costumes. Today, she credits those early childhood experiences with setting her on the path toward a creative manufacturing career.

Hodges is a process engineer at BASF Corporation’s site in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and has been selected as one of The Manufacturing Institute’s 2020 STEP Ahead Emerging Leaders. Emerging Leaders represent the future of the industry and have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments at the beginning of their careers.

What she’s doing: At BASF, Hodges uses a Lean Six Sigma program to cut waste and deploy funding effectively, while also serving as a leader in the company’s environmental impact, health and safety initiatives. These skills enabled her to support the company’s COVID-19 response efforts.

• Since March, Hodges has helped BASF make changes to its operations and facilities, which included the implementation of precautionary measures like health screenings and mandatory mask wearing. To reduce the risk of exposure, BASF employees are asked to practice the same safety precautions at home and in the community as they do at BASF facilities.
• In early July, BASF launched its internal “Pledge to Protect” campaign to encourage employees to share why they wear face coverings, practice social distancing and clean and disinfect. “Our priority remains the health and safety of our employees, contractors and communities,” says Hodges.

A manufacturing advocate: Hodges is committed to helping kids get the same early exposure to STEM and manufacturing that she did.

• She participates in local STEM Days in the Chattanooga community, where she encourages kids to pursue careers in industries like manufacturing.
• She also works with BASF’s Kids’ Lab at a local elementary school during National Chemistry Week.
• And last, she volunteers at her alma mater, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, in order to connect with young people who are interested in the field. “Every day comes with new challenges and opens doors to be innovative,” she says.

A word of advice: “My advice to young women considering manufacturing is to just give it a try,” says Hodges. “Jobs in manufacturing are very diverse in the requirements and skills needed. Manufacturing utilizes a variety of skillsets, from conceiving an idea to completing the product to shipping it to the customer. I would encourage women to investigate the different opportunities, because they may surprise you.”

The 2020 STEP Ahead Awards will be held virtually on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, 6:00–7:00 p.m. EDT. To register to watch, please .

With so many people working from home, access to high-speed internet has become more important than ever, according to (subscription). Still, some people—and particularly those living in rural areas—continue to struggle to connect.

Some higher speeds: On average, internet speeds have gotten faster. According to data from WhistleOut, which compares broadband and wireless internet plans, home internet speeds across the United States have increased from an average of 84.9 megabits per second in March to 94.6 megabits per second in July. The minimum broadband service speed, according to the FCC, is 25 megabits per second.

A few rough patches: Still, plenty of people are being left out. A study from Microsoft suggests that up to 150 million people across the country have slow or unreliable internet connections.

Why it matters: Broadband doesn’t just make it possible to work from home; it’s also important for COVID-19 response measures like contact tracing.

The 51�Թ���’s angle: In April, the 51�Թ��� released the “American Renewal Action Plan,” which calls for historic investment in our nation’s infrastructure, including digital infrastructure, to spur economic renewal and competitiveness. The 51�Թ���’s “Building to Win” strategy also includes a focus on broadband buildout along with other forms of infrastructure critical for manufacturing.

The word from 51�Թ���: “Connectivity was already a key issue for manufacturers before this crisis as they embraced digital transformation,” said 51�Թ��� Director of Innovation Policy Stephanie Hall. “The importance of universal broadband for our industry and communities is even clearer now as we turn to technology solutions for work, school and nearly every aspect of daily life.”

Kayleigh Hogan remembers building piggy banks out of pump parts during “Bring Your Child to Work Day.” Those visits to manufacturing facilities proved to be formative: the daughter of not one, but two STEM professionals in manufacturing, Hogan is now a mechanical asset engineer at Covestro LLC and one of the honorees of the Manufacturing Institute’s 2020 STEP Awards.

“I remember seeing pumps being machined and painted on massive assembly lines,” says Hogan. “At the time, I didn’t realize that this wasn’t quite the stereotypical workplace setting, but I liked that my parents’ work had such tangible results.”

What she does: Today, Hogan manages a $14-million maintenance budget and leads vital capital projects for Covestro’s environmental control, utilities and infrastructure unit. Covestro’s core product lines include raw materials for health-care products such as specialty films for face shields and thermoplastic polyurethane for face masks, which means the company was well placed to respond to COVID-19. Covestro also produces personal protective equipment such as “ear savers” for masks and materials used in drug delivery devices, ventilators and oxygen concentrators.

The award: Hogan is one of the 130 recipients of the 2020 STEP Ahead Awards. These awards honor women who excel in manufacturing careers and act as role models to current and future women workers in the industry. For Hogan, the STEP Ahead Award confirmed that she’s making a difference in her workplace and community. She is honored to be in the company of so many other extraordinary women leading the manufacturing industry.

“It is a truly a humbling experience to see the company I’m in as a STEP honoree,” says Hogan. “The STEP Ahead alumnae community of phenomenal women is amazing, and I’m so excited to meet them in person someday. Receiving this honor also makes me realize how many other remarkable women I know that work in manufacturing who deserve recognition for all that they do.”

Words of advice for other women: “Come join us!” says Hogan. “New ideas are always needed, and fresh new faces are some of the best catalysts for change. Without diverse people and new ideas around the table, there is little hope to meet the ever-changing demands of manufacturing. Never underestimate what your ideas can bring about; your idea may just be the one thing the conversation needed to really get off the ground.”

The 2020 STEP Ahead Awards will be held virtually on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, 6:00–7:00 p.m. EDT. To register to watch, please .

West Coast ports are being impacted by changing trade patterns, losing imports to the East Coast and Canada, among other competitors, according to (subscription). Some of that shift began in 2017, after infrastructure work made it possible for larger vessels to use the Port of New York and New Jersey. Meanwhile, West Coast ports aiming to move goods east must use networks of trains and trucks that run on crumbling U.S. infrastructure.

The breakdown: Ports on the West Coast took in less than 40% of seaborne imports during the first seven months of the year, with ports on the East Coast racking up a little bit more than half.

• Asian imports are still leaning to the West Coast, but the makeup is beginning to change. Last year, Los Angeles moved 9.4 million containers compared to 7.5 million containers for New York and New Jersey. Still, the New York/New Jersey East Coast port did become the second-busiest port in the country, bumping Long Beach, California, out of the runner-up spot.
• Canadian ports are also getting into the game, offering cheaper transportation services that undercut U.S. costs.

Related: West Coast freight networks—including railroads and trucks—are struggling to handle demand after limiting personnel and operations in the face of COVID-19, according to (subscription).

The 51�Թ���’s angle: The 51�Թ��� has urged Congress for years to enact infrastructure reform, laying out its priorities in its “Building to Win” blueprint.

Most recently, during United for Infrastructure (formerly Infrastructure Week), Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) spoke to 51�Թ��� members at an event co-hosted by Nucor Steel about Congress’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of infrastructure investment. During the event the senator noted, “The most sustainable path forward on surface transportation authorization is a one-year extension of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.”