BY JOSEPH CHATEL, MCA PRESIDENT

With 2020 certainly changing our daily lives, the wash industry is no different. Many operators have redesigned their approach to washing and customer service while using genuine creativity to “make it work” and continue moving forward. Here in the Midwest region, this has been especially true.

Our five-state footprint has dealt with the current rolling shutdowns and transformed its approach to washing. The neighboring states regionally have dealt with much different governmental control issues from the beginning. Michigan has seen its share of unique challenges during COVID-19 when it comes to closures, and while many have looked for immediate relief, trust that the MCA is working hard to fight for our rights to operate our businesses safely. If there is one thing car wash operators know well, it is the ability to adapt to a situation and do so with skill and determination. The COVID-19 pandemic is no different and we will prevail.

During this pandemic, the MCA has been tasked with navigating a never-before-seen industry situation. I am determined to continue the fight for our rights as operators as well as use the silver linings of this event to make the MCA better for its members. As an operator, I see a need for better outlets of communication and usefulness in resources. We will move forward with these goals in mind. I welcome our new resource in a newly launched MCA Facebook page for a social media presence. As we have seen with the ever-popular Talk Car Wash Facebook group, the social media network of operators is strong and is transforming the industry one question and post at a time. We look to add to that endeavor and offer a regional group to stretch the lines of communication beyond current boundaries.

In terms of a legal response within our region, please allow me to explain what we’re doing and why we’re doing it. Our region has seen restrictions loosen with immediate relief coming to all states, largely with the exception of Michigan. The MCA has filed legal action in the state of Michigan where legal restrictions impacting our members have been the greatest. The main goal of our filings is for the long-term health of our industry and to set a precedent to protect our members from this hardship ever occurring again. Our industry has done its part in controlling the spread of the virus. We have developed ways to operate with extreme care. The MCA feels that exterior car washing can be done safely to support vehicle sanitation efforts if employers follow the guidelines set out by the CDC and other healthcare officials. The simple heavy-handed act of closing our businesses is unacceptable and lends no ear to reason.

The majority of the other cases filed in the federal courts sought emergency injunctive relief and lost. We could easily take the same tactic, but we would likely be unsuccessful, not because of the lack of merit in our position, but because the standard for obtaining emergency injunctive relief is very high and often unobtainable. This leads us to search for and obtain a ruling that the executive orders released have been unconstitutional under the United States Constitution.

To our loyal members in Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois, we are here. We hear you. We will fight for you. We will continue our work to provide a networking association that works for you. While we do not know currently how this affects our 2020 remaining events schedule, one thing is certain: When things return to normal, our events will be ready to welcome you.