January 2019 – July 2022
For some of us, the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed caregiving for elders or children to the forefront of our lives, which can be stressful. These tips from the All Access ERG and DEI Office can provide resources to help you cope in your role as a caregiver. https://diversity.lbl.gov/2019/11/12/national-family-caregivers-month-tips-for-support-and-building-resilience-november-25-2019/
Juan Aranda has been a helper from the beginning. He has been a nurse at the Lab for the past two years after ten years as a bedside nurse in San Francisco hospitals. His first career was public health, which provides him with insights into the current pandemic. Read Juan’s advice for staying well. https://stratcomm-elements.lbl.gov/2020/05/04/on-site-superstar-juan-aranda/
The Lab’s Health Services is staffed from 7 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. for on-site employees who experience illness or injury. Call 510-486-6266 for an appointment. A face cover and a health screening are required before entering the building. A disinfectant protocol will be used between patients.
The afternoon mindfulness break schedule has changed. Instead of daily meditations, the Lab’s Mindfulness Meditation Group and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Office will offer three Zoom-based meditations on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays throughout the shelter-in-place period. https://diversity.lbl.gov/2020/04/24/zoom-meditation-monday-march-23rd-12pm/
Effective immediately, to comply with an order by the Alameda County Health Department, you must wear a face cover when working in or walking through common areas of the Lab such as hallways, stairways, and elevators. Exceptions include if you are alone in a personal office or alone in a vehicle. https://stratcomm-elements.lbl.gov/2020/04/21/use-of-face-covers-at-the-lab/
A Postdoc Behavioral Health Resource Workshop will be held via Zoom on Monday, April 20, from 1 to 3 p.m. Representatives from the Employee Assistance Program, Gallagher Benefits, and Mental Health Network will participate in the workshop, which will cover benefit coverage and access. https://calendar.google.com/calendar/r/eventedit/copy/MWpybzh0NmMwcGFkZGhpOTIyMWhvaG5xMnUgbGJsLmdvdl9hZW9zYjdxOTd1aWE4bThvNmY3ajNnZ2o3OEBn/bGh1bnRlckBsYmwuZ292?sf=true
With most Lab staff now teleworking it’s important to ensure fire safety at home. Did you know surge protectors have a lifespan of only five years? Consider replacing yours if it is older than that. Contact the Lab’s Fire Marshal at fire@lbl.gov with fire safety questions. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1onX8b1Nuf3h11oxnpLs3CUXBGa9BnZuT
The “Sandwich Generation,” those taking care of both children and elders, may experience additional stress during the coronavirus shelter-in-place. Join Maureen Kelly, a counselor at the UCB ElderCare program, on April 21 at 12:10 p.m. to learn about coping strategies and resources. Signup required. https://uc.sumtotal.host/Broker/public/homerealmdiscovery.aspx?wtrealm=https%3a%2f%2fuc.sumtotal.host%2fcore%2f&wctx=&wa=wsignin1.0&whr=&ReturnUrl=http%3a%2f%2fuc.sumtotal.host%2fBroker%2fToken%2fSaml11.ashx%3fwa%3dwsignin1.0%26wtrealm%3dhttps%253a%252f%252fuc.sumtotal.host%252fcore%252f%26wreply%3dhttp%253a%252f%252fuc.sumtotal.host%252fcore%252fpillarRedirect%253frelyingParty%253dLM%2526url%253dapp%25252Fmanagement%25252FLMS_ActDetails.aspx%25253FActivityId%25253D384425%252526UserMode%25253D0
The shelter-in-place order left little time for the Lab’s ergo team to address the unique situations that occur when most of your workforce suddenly goes to telework. One of the issues that took time to research was the use of large ergonomic items such as chairs. Read the new guidelines. https://ehs.lbl.gov/2020/04/10/ergo-roundup/
On Thursday, April 9, Lab employees, affiliates, and contractors will receive a notification from the emergency LabAlert system. The message will request a reply from each individual asking them to respond with their status and whereabouts. Only one response is needed, but responding is critical.