/gsg/ grad student general (vore free edition)

No.11872216 ViewReplyOriginalReport
Anyone actually allowed in the lab currently? How is your lab handling covid? At my uni, time-sensitive or critical research allowed only, with 150 sq ft / person in labspace. Currently a huge hang up is small lab spaces under 150 sq ft vs. "no one works alone for safety reasons" protocol.
Time-sensitive: we will lose grants if this work is not completed (must provide proof of impending monetary doom)
Critical: we think our research is more important than anyone elses and therefore supercede the social distancing restrictions (submit filled application to dean's office and wait indefinitely while they frantically try to decide what critical actually means)
Meanwhile, admin is panicking trying to produce "high quality online resources of equal or greater value than in-person lectures" as justification to not offer reduced tuition for people working from home. I paid full tuition this semester to sit at home and read papers and distance-write a review article with my PI.

Does it get much worse than this?
When is it going to get better?
I have a feeling come september - october everything is going to start shutting down for the second wave and any progress gained over the summer will be immediately lost.