January 2019 – July 2022
Part of the Lab’s strategy for minimizing COVID-19 risks is a weekly symptom check and ongoing self-monitoring for COVID symptoms for those coming to a Lab site. More than 26,500 symptom checks have been completed since May 21. Each check is part of the Lab’s story about managing during a pandemic. https://covid.lbl.gov/
Rhett Persaud, who normally is the Lab’s Emergency Management Specialist, found himself in a new role in April shortly after the Lab went to curtailed operations. He was tapped to form a new group with a unique purpose — to answer questions from employees about the Lab’s operations and COVID-19. https://stratcomm-elements.lbl.gov/2020/09/03/three-questions-for-covid-call-centers-rhett-persaud/
The Lab’s COVID-19 website has several new pages of critical news and information including one for supervisors, one for teleworkers, a page of information for those working on site, and a page that lists all COVID-19 cases at the Lab. https://covid.lbl.gov/
Lab Director Mike Witherell watches the state and local COVID-19 trends. His new chart this week places the local counties in the new four-tiered color system of reporting in California. Most of the Bay Area counties continue in the low end of the widespread range. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YI3ZnLNg5uJS-xb4sRPNaDqJc3HXb31v/view?usp=sharing
Lab Director Mike Witherell watches COVID-19 trends closely. Key indicators show statewide COVID-19 rates down about 30% in the last month and reductions for previously troubled counties in Southern California and the Central Valley. The Bay Area overall has remained steady near the state averages. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZSoahjyQ3oBpqk0aVHW5NNKmnwoTpbur/view?usp=sharing
The August 20 Return to Work Newsletter provided information on a renewed focus on Lab safety, reporting COVID-19 cases at the Lab, remote work outside the region, and the emergency leave donation program, among other topics. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Oemmt5ehncoXuwYhvTbDsk9PM0lSShXZ/view?usp=sharing
There are currently more than 500 postdocs at the Lab; 80% are international researchers. NERSC Exascale Science Applications Program’s Oisin Creaner, left, and ATAP’s Lígia Diana Pinto de Almeida Amorin, share how they are faring during the COVID-19 pandemic and the shelter-in-place environment. https://stratcomm-elements.lbl.gov/2020/08/18/three-questions-for-postdocs-oisin-creaner-ligia-diana-pinto-de-almeida-amorin/
Starting Monday, August 17, the Badge Office will be open Mondays 8 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays noon to 3:30 p.m., and Fridays 8 a.m. to noon. New and existing personnel may schedule an appointment by emailing siteaccess@lbl.gov. Check the requirements before going to any Lab site. https://covid.lbl.gov/
The Lab began Pilot 2b on Monday, adding 200 people to reach 1,200 peak workers on Lab sites. Pending DOE approval, the Lab is planning to add another 200 peak workers later this month and 200 more in September, bringing the total on site to 1,600 peak workers. https://covid.lbl.gov/
Lab Director Mike Witherell watches COVID-19 trends closely. This week’s chart shows the Bay Area doing well compared to most states in two key indicators. California and several other states are seeing somewhat fewer hospitalizations since peaking near the end of July. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NrIPxJXGba7hCOynF7l817zYiqGfdhii/view?usp=sharing