Covid-19 has led many homeowners across America to pounce on DIY home improvement projects during stay-at-home orders. And as a result, hardware, home improvement, and farm supply stores — which the federal government deemed essential businesses — have seen a massive surge in demand for tools, paint, lawn and garden goods and treated lumber. Added to that is a higher demand for cleaning supplies, security systems, safety gear, sidewalk chalk and activity kits for youngsters, said Randy Rusk, national spokesman for Do It Best, a cooperative of hardware, lumber and building materials stores in all 50 states and more than 50 countries. But analysts and marketing experts in the home and hardware industry are cautious. They predict a mixed bag in spending through the end of this year, dragged down by little or no construction in some states and nagging uncertainties surrounding the economic toll from the pandemic. Smaller, in-home projects have been the bright spot in the sector. During the