Status of Academic Laboratory Technicians During COVID-19 Pandemic
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 or CoViD-19 is a newly discovered infectious disease originated in Wuhan, China. As of May 25, 2020, there were 5,524,119 cases 347,069 deaths, and 2,315,305 recoveries. It has affected 213 countries and territories worldwide. Currently, the Philippines has 14,319 cases, 873 deaths and 3,323 recoveries. The entire island of Luzon was placed under the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) since March 15, 2020, shutting down different sectors and industries, including academic institutions.
Academic institutions started to shift to online classes to facilitate continuous learning of the students during the quarantine period. Executing laboratory classes is a dilemma for instructors, especially for Science or Allied Science courses. The current situation also challenges academic laboratory technicians to perform their laboratory-related tasks for mostly it requires physical presence in the laboratory.
Motivated by this, PSALT organized an Online Forum via ZOOM last May 19, 2020, with 9AM and 2 PM schedules. The aim was to meet-and-greet with colleagues from different academic institutions and assess their situation and share ideas on some work-from-home tasks. During the conversation, some of the lab techs shared their work-from-home arrangements. Inventory management, updating of service cards, even development of policies or standard operating procedures were some of the tasks done via online. One primary function of a laboratory technician is to provide technical support to laboratory classes. When there are no lab classes, laboratory clerical works can be done like inventory management of equipment and other laboratory materials. Being innovative, creative and proactive are key qualities of a laboratory technician.
Unfortunately, some lab techs under recruitment agencies were retrenched. Others were given compensations until April 30, while some have no-work-no pay status. In light of the experiences shared, there were mixed emotions as to when this pandemic will end. This situation is happening globally and has affected millions of people. Despite the dangers of getting infected and the loss of jobs, the gift of LIFE is the most important thing everyone were grateful for.
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Keep safe everyone!
