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.
