360 today

What is the point in offering the test only to people who have symptoms?  The virus appears to be primarily spread by the 80% of people who are never symptomatic.  I don't understand what testing really accomplishes, other than perhaps diagnosing someone a few days before they might otherwise be checking into the hospital.

posted by gut

What is the point in offering the test only to people who have symptoms?  The virus appears to be primarily spread by the 80% of people who are never symptomatic.  I don't understand what testing really accomplishes, other than perhaps diagnosing someone a few days before they might otherwise be checking into the hospital.

This.  Just fucking test everyone.

They aren't testing everyone because there aren't enough tests for everyone. 

they're probably already incredibly burdened by an annoying amount of people who get a simple runny nose and want tested. 

posted by MontyBrunswick

They aren't testing everyone because there aren't enough tests for everyone.

I get that.  But my question is why even bother when there are already several hundred thousand active cases, that we know of, and most likely millions more?  I suppose identifying 10% is better than none.  Just seems pointless when for every person who tests positive, there are 20 people walking around spreading this that aren't allowed to get a test because they have no symptoms.

And let's assume we do start doing contact tracing.  Then what?  "You might have been exposed to someone who had the virus.....if you start showing symptoms, please come in for a test....otherwise self-quarantine for a month in case you have it".

Any of you working from home potentially going back in soon with these new guidelines? 

posted by MontyBrunswick

They aren't testing everyone because there aren't enough tests for everyone. 

No shit

posted by friendfromlowry

Any of you working from home potentially going back in soon with these new guidelines? 

Not anytime soon. My office is officially closed until May 15. I expect that to get extended into June. I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t go back until July. 

posted by ernest_t_bass

No shit

I guess you were being sarcastic. It's tough to tell with you because you're a moron.

posted by Automatik

Not anytime soon. My office is officially closed until May 15. I expect that to get extended into June. I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t go back until July. 

Same. Was told it would likely be another 3-4 weeks but my company also plans on erring on the side of caution.

posted by Automatik

Not anytime soon. My office is officially closed until May 15. I expect that to get extended into June. I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t go back until July. 

If work is successfully being done remotely, why the hell rush it?  How many actual hours do you think you're putting in from home vs. office?

Still going into the office. It's obsolete though. Nothing to really do (I'm a soccer coach). I can't stay home though, never was released to work from home. Sucks, but I do get to do some work with some other things I do. At least I'm still getting paid and getting benefits.

posted by friendfromlowry

Any of you working from home potentially going back in soon with these new guidelines? 

Nah. We're hearing it won't be a surprise if we're still remote into the fall.

posted by justincredible

Nah. We're hearing it won't be a surprise if we're still remote into the fall.

Damn!  The part I'm most interested to see is when the restrictions are lax, and the weather is nice, and how that relates to hours worked. Especially in relation to the quality of work. Will employers GAF about the hours or the job?  When we punch the clock at the office, it seems like it is both, with the hours being arbitrary.  With remote work, with employers really GAF?

posted by friendfromlowry

Any of you working from home potentially going back in soon with these new guidelines? 

Our work wants everyone, that can, to be in the office on May 4th. We have about 50 employees and are a tourism industry partner. 

posted by justincredible

Nah. We're hearing it won't be a surprise if we're still remote into the fall.

Wow.

That is insane.

The main 'office' in another city doesnt know it but we can go in whenever we want. I have went in 3 times since this silliness has started.  They have not said a word. Did read an article about this sector and the proposal was like 15 straight days of lessening of cases and deaths, local hospitals at a certain capacity, etc.   

Who the hell knows. I dont miss the drive, that is for damned sure but at some point this is just getting insane.     I do hope this opens up the discussion to allow telework on a more consistent basis. I would accept one day a week actually.

posted by ernest_t_bass

If work is successfully being done remotely, why the hell rush it?  How many actual hours do you think you're putting in from home vs. office?

Yeah my company has adapted rather well, so they will definitely err on the side of caution. 

I'm putting in more hours since the lockdown started. 

posted by Automatik

I'm putting in more hours since the lockdown started. 

Here is another side of it.  Will employees be compensated for doing MORE work?

posted by OSH

Still going into the office. It's obsolete though. Nothing to really do (I'm a soccer coach). I can't stay home though, never was released to work from home. Sucks, but I do get to do some work with some other things I do. At least I'm still getting paid and getting benefits.

There’s no soccer, why would they make the coach come into work? That’s dumb af

posted by ernest_t_bass

Here is another side of it.  Will employees be compensated for doing MORE work?

Maybe for companies who track hours. IT or engineers with billable hours? 

I'm salary and we have a "get it done mentality." I don't mind it for the most part, I just get annoyed when people expect you to respond to something outside of work hours.

posted by friendfromlowry

Any of you working from home potentially going back in soon with these new guidelines? 

Had our morning conference call and it sounds like it will be sooner than I expected. Kind of sucks because seems like I'm more productive from home and can work longer hours without a 2.5 hour round trip commute. I do think that my company is going to re-think this and, at a minimum, I think I'm going to be able to work remotely on Fridays.

posted by SportsAndLady

There’s no soccer, why would they make the coach come into work? That’s dumb af

So, long story short...my employers own an "essential business" and I'm paid by said business. They love their control and micromanaging. That leaves me coming into the office every day. I have one real coworker, who's at home because he has two kids and his wife is a nurse. No childcare means he can stay at home. My wife is at home, so I have zero excuses.

I'm sure I can go talk to them about not being in the office, but...knowing them that wouldn't go over well, I don't want to lose the paycheck or benefits.

posted by OSH

So, long story short...my employers own an "essential business" and I'm paid by said business. They love their control and micromanaging. That leaves me coming into the office every day. I have one real coworker, who's at home because he has two kids and his wife is a nurse. No childcare means he can stay at home. My wife is at home, so I have zero excuses.

I'm sure I can go talk to them about not being in the office, but...knowing them that wouldn't go over well, I don't want to lose the paycheck or benefits.

That seems like a shitty way to run a business: Micromanaging and instilling a culture that has employees walking on eggshells about having an honest conversation with leadership.

I hope they offer you some leeway, one way or the other.

I was told by a good source that schools may not open fully till fall of 2021

posted by geeblock

I was told by a good source that schools may not open fully till fall of 2021

Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

Or let's hope that this prompts schools and other institutions to finally learn how to adapt.  Public institutions have historically been slow to do that, but perhaps this will force many to.