A few thoughts about running a research lab in the time of COVID. Who are we? A lab of 7 scientists working on how muscle develops and regenerates. Our @NIH-funded work involves daily lab work and experiments that last weeks. To keep operating, we need to be in the lab. 1/12
After a multi-month shutdown, we returned to lab. We always wear masks and gloves and work in isolation whenever possible (different rooms, times). Between experiments, we retreat to small 1-person offices. All meetings are via Zoom (even when we are in adjacent rooms!) 2/12
Many days we eat lunch outside together separated by 6-10 ft. A risk, but talking together keeps us (me!) sane. 3/12
Last Tues a postdoc got sick and stayed home, got tested for COVID at 1 pm, and found she was COVID+ on Wed at 7 pm. Thanks to @UofUHealth for quick results! 4/12
Lab zoom meeting Wed night. We all quarantined at home until Sat – 5 day after last masked contact with postdoc (CDC states median time from exposure to symptoms is 4-5 d). No one had symptoms, but we were anxious. I was a wreck. 5/12
Sat am we all got tested and by Sun pm found we were all negative for COVID. Phew. 6/12
Mon am zoom lab meeting. We all were symptom-free, tested COVID-, and 7 d post masked contact with postdoc. We returned to lab – as always with mask and gloves and physically isolated. 7/12
Lessons from our experience: 1. Always wear masks and maintain strict physical separation, whenever possible. #maskuputah Wear gloves, wash hands, disinfect common surfaces too. Probably because of these measures, we prevented spread! 8/12
2. Be vigilant. Unknown how postdoc got COVID. Probably community spread, but could it be via contact with lab members? Really, unknown! As a scientist, I hate this unknown. Thankfully postdoc is getting better. 9/12
3. Communication is key. Lab members were in daily discussions with one another. Clear communication with members of my department was also important. 10/12
I am anxious every day about lab and family. COVID will be with us for a long time. I think of @Atul_Gawande and health care workers. I think of the Hammer and the Dance. @tomaspueyo medium.com/@tomaspueyo 11/12
Yes, we are dancing. And continuing to science. @NICHD_NIH @JulieCKiefer @carlzimmer @edyong209 #myotwitter END
