Office Protocols (Cubicles and Side Offices)

1. People only wear their masks when interacting with coworkers directly. If in an office or sitting in a cubicle with no direct interaction, they remove their masks.
   The reason this is an issue is that we know now that COVID-19 is airborne. Masks reduce airborne transmission because virus particles are blocked in part by the mask and escape out the sides at less velocity, thus those particles travel shorter distances in the air, making them less likely to be circulated to other people within the building.
2. People sometimes remove their masks to be heard more clearly.
   Same issue as in 1.
3. People ignore social distancing guidelines while wearing their masks and will stand near coworkers to see what is on a coworker's computer screen when learning or teaching how something works.
   The mask is only effective if it supplements social distancing. Yes, I know we have been told to wear a mask if we think social distancing may not always be possible, but that does not mean we should be ignoring social distancing and using the mask as an excuse to do so, especially after learning that the virus can spread through airborne particles.
4. People pull on the front of their masks if the mask falls down while talking.
   The front of the mask is likely contaminated due to particles that have landed on it. Healthcare workers are taught to adjust the mask by the straps near the ears or around the head after washing or sanitizing hands, which brings me to my next point.
5. People do not practice proper hygiene in an office environment. I see very few, if any, coworkers using hand sanitizer. It is not enough to just wash hands in an environment where items are shared, door handles are touched, etc.

Xilnik said:

I have been back at work now for a week. I said in another thread that I would report on what I have seen and why I believe masks are not working as effectively as they could even though they do work to mitigate transmission when used properly.

1. People only wear their masks when interacting with coworkers directly. If in an office or sitting in a cubicle with no direct interaction, they remove their masks.
   The reason this is an issue is that we know now that COVID-19 is airborne. Masks reduce airborne transmission because virus particles are blocked in part by the mask and escape out the sides at less velocity, thus those particles travel shorter distances in the air, making them less likely to be circulated to other people within the building.
2. People sometimes remove their masks to be heard more clearly.
   Same issue as in 1.
3. People ignore social distancing guidelines while wearing their masks and will stand near coworkers to see what is on a coworker's computer screen when learning or teaching how something works.
   The mask is only effective if it supplements social distancing. Yes, I know we have been told to wear a mask if we think social distancing may not always be possible, but that does not mean we should be ignoring social distancing and using the mask as an excuse to do so, especially after learning that the virus can spread through airborne particles.
4. People pull on the front of their masks if the mask falls down while talking.
   The front of the mask is likely contaminated due to particles that have landed on it. Healthcare workers are taught to adjust the mask by the straps near the ears or around the head after washing or sanitizing hands, which brings me to my next point.
5. People do not practice proper hygiene in an office environment. I see very few, if any, coworkers using hand sanitizer. It is not enough to just wash hands in an environment where items are shared, door handles are touched, etc.

I have to say, I feel very unsafe working right now. All I can hope is that none of my coworkers have been exposed, so I do not get exposed in turn. I also feel like the company misled me by telling me there would be disinfectant wipes to clean up stations and masks if needed. I have seen no signs of any of those items. I have been bringing my own to clean my cubicle daily and sanitizer to keep my hands clean while working or if I accidentally touch the front of my mask when it falls down (yes, I have slipped up a few times).

Curious what others think of the above and whether they would also be concerned in my position. Any advice would also be great.

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Metric Mouse said:

Washing hands is far superior to using hand sanitizer. Not sure why you would think otherwise.

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Checkerboard Strangler said:

You're definitely not overreacting, but I would like to know what city you are working in and why working from home isn't possible. Mostly I'd like to know what city you're working in.

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Xilnik said:

I have been back at work now for a week. I said in another thread that I would report on what I have seen and why I believe masks are not working as effectively as they could even though they do work to mitigate transmission when used properly.

1. People only wear their masks when interacting with coworkers directly. If in an office or sitting in a cubicle with no direct interaction, they remove their masks.
   The reason this is an issue is that we know now that COVID-19 is airborne. Masks reduce airborne transmission because virus particles are blocked in part by the mask and escape out the sides at less velocity, thus those particles travel shorter distances in the air, making them less likely to be circulated to other people within the building.
2. People sometimes remove their masks to be heard more clearly.
   Same issue as in 1.
3. People ignore social distancing guidelines while wearing their masks and will stand near coworkers to see what is on a coworker's computer screen when learning or teaching how something works.
   The mask is only effective if it supplements social distancing. Yes, I know we have been told to wear a mask if we think social distancing may not always be possible, but that does not mean we should be ignoring social distancing and using the mask as an excuse to do so, especially after learning that the virus can spread through airborne particles.
4. People pull on the front of their masks if the mask falls down while talking.
   The front of the mask is likely contaminated due to particles that have landed on it. Healthcare workers are taught to adjust the mask by the straps near the ears or around the head after washing or sanitizing hands, which brings me to my next point.
5. People do not practice proper hygiene in an office environment. I see very few, if any, coworkers using hand sanitizer. It is not enough to just wash hands in an environment where items are shared, door handles are touched, etc.

I have to say, I feel very unsafe working right now. All I can hope is that none of my coworkers have been exposed, so I do not get exposed in turn. I also feel like the company misled me by telling me there would be disinfectant wipes to clean up stations and masks if needed. I have seen no signs of any of those items. I have been bringing my own to clean my cubicle daily and sanitizer to keep my hands clean while working or if I accidentally touch the front of my mask when it falls down (yes, I have slipped up a few times).

Curious what others think of the above and whether they would also be concerned in my position. Any advice would also be great.

Click to expand...

Xilnik said:

I have been back at work now for a week. I said in another thread that I would report on what I have seen and why I believe masks are not working as effectively as they could even though they do work to mitigate transmission when used properly.

1. People only wear their masks when interacting with coworkers directly. If in an office or sitting in a cubicle with no direct interaction, they remove their masks.
   The reason this is an issue is that we know now that COVID-19 is airborne. Masks reduce airborne transmission because virus particles are blocked in part by the mask and escape out the sides at less velocity, thus those particles travel shorter distances in the air, making them less likely to be circulated to other people within the building.
2. People sometimes remove their masks to be heard more clearly.
   Same issue as in 1.
3. People ignore social distancing guidelines while wearing their masks and will stand near coworkers to see what is on a coworker's computer screen when learning or teaching how something works.
   The mask is only effective if it supplements social distancing. Yes, I know we have been told to wear a mask if we think social distancing may not always be possible, but that does not mean we should be ignoring social distancing and using the mask as an excuse to do so, especially after learning that the virus can spread through airborne particles.
4. People pull on the front of their masks if the mask falls down while talking.
   The front of the mask is likely contaminated due to particles that have landed on it. Healthcare workers are taught to adjust the mask by the straps near the ears or around the head after washing or sanitizing hands, which brings me to my next point.
5. People do not practice proper hygiene in an office environment. I see very few, if any, coworkers using hand sanitizer. It is not enough to just wash hands in an environment where items are shared, door handles are touched, etc.

I have to say, I feel very unsafe working right now. All I can hope is that none of my coworkers have been exposed, so I do not get exposed in turn. I also feel like the company misled me by telling me there would be disinfectant wipes to clean up stations and masks if needed. I have seen no signs of any of those items. I have been bringing my own to clean my cubicle daily and sanitizer to keep my hands clean while working or if I accidentally touch the front of my mask when it falls down (yes, I have slipped up a few times).

Curious what others think of the above and whether they would also be concerned in my position. Any advice would also be great.

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Chomsky said:

You observations & inferences & opinion strike me as legit. But while your place of business is not during perfect mitigation, and mitigation is better than none. But yeah, it seems like your co-workers could be more stringent.

CheckerboardStrangler makes a good point: Why aren't you guys working from home?

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Xilnik said:

I never claimed hand sanitizer was superior.

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Xilnik said:

Denver. The work the company does is considered essential.

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Metric Mouse said:

#5.

Wash your hands. It's enough, in general.

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Xilnik said:

The team started out trying to work from home. Unfortunately, there are sensitive items that many people need access to, and it became too inefficient having to coordinate physical access to those items for multiple people remotely. Some businesses work well remotely. This is one that did not, and since the work being done is a vital service to the general population, it became necessary for the team to return to the office.

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calamity said:

Social distance and masks when within 6-10 feet of people is very effective. So far, I've been exposed to over a dozen carriers and not yet come down with it. Of course, every time I sneeze, I say, "Oh Crap! Here it is."

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Xilnik said:

#5 is referring to the in between stages outside of washing hands. If I touch my mask or open a door, I do not have access to a sink right away. I use hand sanitizer when a sink is not readily available.

Washing hands is also not without risk. Touching the faucet handle to turn it on/off requires exposing oneself. I have gotten into the habit both at home and at work of using soap and washing the faucet handle before washing my hands. I use a paper towel to open the door, but I do occasionally have the paper towel slip and part of my hand will touch the door handle.

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Metric Mouse said:

You are overreacting.

I'm an essential worker as well. I have to show up for my shifts, work with others and share equipment. Research surface transmission risk of Sars-cov-2, and keep your mask on and wash your hands. If you keep your hands clean and out of your booger holes, you won't infect yourself even if others are not perfectly sanitary.

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Xilnik said:

1. People only wear their masks when interacting with coworkers directly. If in an office or sitting in a cubicle with no direct interaction, they remove their masks.

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Xilnik said:

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RetiredUSN said:

Is your supervisor receptive to your concerns? Have you even bothered to let the supervisor know of your concerns?

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Xilnik said:

Not as of yet. I am mostly just observing and doing my best to stay safe through my own actions. I do not want to rock the boat since I have not yet gotten a feel for how my supervisor might react to my concerns. I would much rather keep my job.

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