Renee Beardslee is a research lab specialist who has been designated to participate in the phased return to work at the A. Alfred Taubman Biomedical Science Research Building. She offered these comments on what it's like to work in the building, in these early days of research reactivation. We thought her thoughtful observations, as well as the photos she took, would be helpful for others, as they plan to return to the labs in the next waves of reactivation.
Entry
- I had to scan my badge to enter like I would during normal after-hours entry; the doors were locked. There was a person immediately present that gave me a sticker with date that you have to wear all day. The lobby is all set up with lanes for entry and departure and there was a second person that screened the questions. There is a website set up now where you can answer the questions online and just show them the date-time-stamped result. Then there was a third screening spot with a police officer in a booth with plexiglass and they took my temperature. If you have bangs, you have to push them aside for it to work!
- You also have to leave through this door. Couldn’t just enter here and then leave anywhere.
General building environment
- All furniture has been rearranged, marked off or removed to allow for 6 feet distancing. There are signs specifically instructing people that they are not allowed to move furniture.
- Speaking of signs, they are EVERYWHERE! Signs telling you: how many people are allowed in an elevator, the number of people allowed in a bathroom, occupancy of 1 at tables, occupancy allowed in kitchen areas. They clearly put A LOT of thought into this part of things and it makes it very easy to know what is allowed.
- Bathroom sinks and stalls are closed off or closed entirely for social distancing. Lots of signs in the bathrooms. Signs at drinking fountains; obviously can’t use those.
- Atrium space dedicated to eating lunch, so you don’t have to go outside or go to your car!
