Our institute is in phased opening process. This week they are allowing "nonessential" workers to come back in the lab and office, while mandating mask wearing and social distancing.
Teleworking is still encouraged.
Just in time for this lab opening, I got a response from editorial office for manuscript revision on Monday (5/11). The comments and revise requests ("major revision") are constructive and manageable (if the lab is open).
On Tuesday (5/12) we ordered some research reagents and asked histopathology staff to prepare some slides. They are for the revision. She cut the slides from paraffin block the next day and gave them to me today (5/14). It really is good to have efficient research support staff on our side.
I came to the lab for 3 days this week to arrange experiments needed for the revision. With all the raw data within reach and all software available in the computer, it is easier to work in the office than from home.
Tomorrow I'll be teleworking for Zoom lab meeting, writing a grant, sending peer review comments, and other things.
My work environment is not really ordinary and is different from most. My work does not rely on meeting with many people in person, which is great for this "pandemic" time. People are vectors for the virus, from the standpoint of public health.
I sure am a lucky one. In coming weeks I'll keep working on the paper revision and necessary experiments (and grant with 6/16 deadline), hoping for getting them done asap.
I certainly hope there is not the second wave coming. But if the patients number rise quickly and ICUs and ERs in hospitals are flooded, they would close the businesses and put people in quarantine again.
Learning from the quick and messy lab closing and quarantine/teleworking, I better be prepared for the bad case scenario (with second lab closing) and make full use of this lab opening time.
"Mind my own business". This attitude can be quite helpful, especially when idle people with free time splash around their cheap opinions so gleefully.
May 6, 2020
Life/Science: preparing for re-opening of research lab in Oklahoma
On 5/5, our institute announced schedule for phased re-opening of research labs.
Although telecommuting is still encouraged, the research labs may open beginning 5/11 Monday, with mandatory mask wearing on campus and other precautions (social distancing, disinfecting, hand washing, etc).
That makes the strict closing from 3/23 to 5/10, exactly 7 weeks.
During the 7 telecommuting weeks, I sent out two manuscripts, initiated a new collaborative project, checked out new papers (sometimes it is difficult to keep up without some system like weekly journal club), was peer-reviewing a few manuscripts by others, is working on a grant (due mid June), is reviewing an ongoing collaborative project, did 6+ Zoom meeting, etc etc.
I'd say, it was productive enough. But it also is about time to get some lab work done for research.
I'd miss the telework environment, writing with my cat on my lap, for a while though.
Judging from those maskless people in Walmart and everywhere else (careless), I do think this re-opening of the state for economic purpose would be followed by second wave (like 1918 Spanish Flu), and possibly re-closing of the lab later this year. I got to prepare for it. Get as much lab data as possible, while initiating projects that are telework friendly, during this Summer.
This "opening" is likely a calm before another storm. Preparations don't go waste. Then, why not?
The state closing have given us precious time and knowledge on the disease. There are drugs being tested or reported effective (or refuted). The knowledge from clinical trials are obtained literally through people's sacrifices.
I started walking and exercising, but no significant weight loss has been observed yet. As of today I weigh about 195lb, and am hoping to lose 10-15lb to be able to move better before the end of Summer. I'll keep working out.
Although telecommuting is still encouraged, the research labs may open beginning 5/11 Monday, with mandatory mask wearing on campus and other precautions (social distancing, disinfecting, hand washing, etc).
That makes the strict closing from 3/23 to 5/10, exactly 7 weeks.
During the 7 telecommuting weeks, I sent out two manuscripts, initiated a new collaborative project, checked out new papers (sometimes it is difficult to keep up without some system like weekly journal club), was peer-reviewing a few manuscripts by others, is working on a grant (due mid June), is reviewing an ongoing collaborative project, did 6+ Zoom meeting, etc etc.
I'd say, it was productive enough. But it also is about time to get some lab work done for research.
I'd miss the telework environment, writing with my cat on my lap, for a while though.
Judging from those maskless people in Walmart and everywhere else (careless), I do think this re-opening of the state for economic purpose would be followed by second wave (like 1918 Spanish Flu), and possibly re-closing of the lab later this year. I got to prepare for it. Get as much lab data as possible, while initiating projects that are telework friendly, during this Summer.
This "opening" is likely a calm before another storm. Preparations don't go waste. Then, why not?
The state closing have given us precious time and knowledge on the disease. There are drugs being tested or reported effective (or refuted). The knowledge from clinical trials are obtained literally through people's sacrifices.
I started walking and exercising, but no significant weight loss has been observed yet. As of today I weigh about 195lb, and am hoping to lose 10-15lb to be able to move better before the end of Summer. I'll keep working out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)