I heard, and am seeing that construction type jobs don't seem to be affected much with the virus shutdown. I mean I see guys building homes and working on roads all around me... furthermore, we've heard of a couple fiber cuts that have brought portions of our network down a couple times in the last week or so.

I suspect any reduction in backhoe activity will depend strongly on where you are looking. The San Francisco Bay area, including Silicon Valley is taking things seriously.

From the City of Menlo Park, Calif, March 20th:

Due to the statewide stay-at-home order, effective Friday, March 20, no construction activity is allowed within the city of Menlo Park, except for essential infrastructure projects as determined by the City Manager/Emergency Services Director, until further notice. Active construction sites are instructed to secure their site and cease all further work immediately. Only activities necessary to address immediate health and safety concerns, as determined by the City Manager/Emergency Services Director, are allowed. This action is not taken lightly and is out of extreme concern for the health and safety of construction workers and city employees. Further guidance in light of this decision is expected to be released the week of March 23, 2020. Please visit the city website at menlopark.org/coronavirus for updates. -- These are my opinions. I hate spam.