Coronavirus in Massachusetts (Boston, Somerville, Chelsea: screen, structure, home)

[NewfieMama]

Originally Posted by Bridge781

Yikes:

https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/07..._medium=social

I feel like this news has been making the rounds over the past couple of days: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/...cid=mm6928e2_w

It's a story about how 2 hair stylists tested positive for COVID, but because they were wearing masks (and most of the clients were wearing masks), there was no transmission from stylist to client.

The teachers in this case were in the classroom with the kids for three hours, which is longer than a typical hair appointment, but hopefully the PPE kept the kids safe.

[bizcuit]

Originally Posted by htfdcolt

We use MS Teams, and I usually don't turn on my camera. One of the (few) indulgences during this WFH has been skipping my morning shave every 1-2 days...so an impromptu video call would not be a good thing. Although the folks who study the effectiveness of virtual teams, say that being more casual helps to bring teams closer together.

Same. We use Teams and most don't turn on the camera. That definitely helps as I usually have my hair piled on top of my head in some kind of messy topknot, no makeup and no bra. Plus, I like the lighting dim. One thing I love about WFH, no nasty office florescent lighting!

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by Bridge781

Do people enjoy showing their face during zooms? Its fine at times but other times I’m like does this person really need to see my face?

We use WebEx, and we never use video. Even when we conference with a customer, no video. 99% of the time we are looking at a presentation on the screen, so no need to have video up. I have a professional headshot that I use in my "square". Most don't even go that far. I do some of my meetings while walking on the treadmill so I don't want video.

We had a 5-day Online training a couple weeks back with about 13 members of my team and an instructor. Only the instructor had their video on and kept dropping subtle pleas for others to turn on their video. Nobody did.

Every time I get a new laptop issued to me, the first thing I do is stick a piece of tape over the camera.


Also, I've done some interviews since March. Phone call only, no video.

[sawyer2]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

We use WebEx, and we never use video. Even when we conference with a customer, no video. 99% of the time we are looking at a presentation on the screen, so no need to have video up. I have a professional headshot that I use in my "square". Most don't even go that far. I do some of my meetings while walking on the treadmill so I don't want video.

We had a 5-day Online training a couple weeks back with about 13 members of my team and an instructor. Only the instructor had their video on and kept dropping subtle pleas for others to turn on their video. Nobody did.

Every time I get a new laptop issued to me, the first thing I do is stick a piece of tape over the camera.


Also, I've done some interviews since March. Phone call only, no video.

I like this approach - I really don't understand the fascination/need to look at co-workers faces at any meeting.

[Bridge781]

I also think the showing of faces and surroundings can be awkward on a call. I had a call with a scientist from a well known pharma company a few weeks back and she did not turn on her video. Others did so she felt the need to explain and said, I’m not turning on my video because I’m in my bedroom hiding from my kids. She didn’t need to explain any further and I so understood where she was coming from. I’m so tired of turning on my video on zoom calls but I guess it’s better than having to commute in.

[mdovell]

Originally Posted by Bridge781

I also think the showing of faces and surroundings can be awkward on a call. I had a call with a scientist from a well known pharma company a few weeks back and she did not turn on her video. Others did so she felt the need to explain and said, I’m not turning on my video because I’m in my bedroom hiding from my kids. She didn’t need to explain any further and I so understood where she was coming from. I’m so tired of turning on my video on zoom calls but I guess it’s better than having to commute in.

Eh...it depends though there's some rules depending on what's going on. In CT the state government tried to argue that cameras should be on for live school sessions. But then the argument was brought up you are still a mandated reporter and thus if a teacher sees something illegal they must report per the law. That put an end to using cameras. Of course the other argument is does someone even have to be "home" when working from "home". Borders are closed but there's nothing preventing people from being in another state, a mountain top, a beach, a park etc.

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by mdovell

Borders are closed but there's nothing preventing people from being in another state, a mountain top, a beach, a park etc.

My Brother and Sister-in-law rented a campsite in NH for the summer and bought an RV. They've been pretty much living there all summer with some limited trips back to their home. By my BIL has been working the entire time M-F. He'll use a hotspot (that he can expense) and when required to do a meeting with video, he will throw up a sheet as a background in the RV, and conduct his meeting there. He is 100% remote.


Honestly, I don't see an issue. He's available when needed, and actively being productive.

[redplum33]

Originally Posted by lrfox

Got mine this afternoon, almost exactly 24 hours after taking the test.

I'm curious where you got tested. From what I understand, this is definitely not the norm at the current time.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by redplum33

I'm curious where you got tested. From what I understand, this is definitely not the norm at the current time.

My girlfriend and I got tested at CHA Somerville (Highland Avenue) which is appointment only. My brother got tested yesterday at Mass General Chelsea, the free (for all MA residents) site that takes walk-ins (and allows appointments), and had his results via the app this morning. Better yet, he said he was in/out in less than 30 minutes as a walk-in.

I don't at all doubt that there are delays in some cases. It's probably highly dependent on the particular lab processing the tests. But it doesn't appear that delays are standard across the board for everyone at this point.

[id77]

Originally Posted by Bridge781

I think you have to draw the line somewhere. If you are responding to emails at 9pm then you’re kind of saying, hey it’s ok to email late at night and I’ll answer. I just try to keep work between the hours of 9 and 6.

I sometimes envy people who can just turn off their work and go home at the end of the day. This isn't possible, at least for me, for two reasons:

1. I work for a global company with global employees. I spend hours a week on international calls. We all have to be as considerate as is practical with time zones, but there's going to be times I'm on a 9:00 PM call simply because it's the only time we can have both San Francisco and Hong Kong on the same call.

2. My employer is paying for my phone and my unlimited data/international roaming plan, with the reasonable expectation that if they call, I answer. They get it's not practical to expect me to answer at 2:00 AM on a Saturday, but I should answer when I'm awake. Also, given my travel profile, someone calling me at what they think is 2:00 PM in Boston may not realize I'm in Tel Aviv at the moment and it's really 9:00 PM.