My husband’s company announced they are staying hybrid permanently. They were supposed to return to the office after Labor Day.
3 Likes
My employer (university) required all non-faculty to return to the office this week (Monday). Vaccines are required, but exemptions are permitted. Unvaccinated folks are supposed to wear masks at all times and submit to weekly testing. By Wednesday, they sent out an emergency mask directive that everyone is to wear them at all times, regardless of vax status.
I still think it is ridiculous that I had to report back (my job has always been conducted almost entirely online), and as I sit here with fogged up glasses and mask-induced acne emerging…I’m not a happy camper.
1 Like
Le sigh. I just got my staff back in to a comfortable hybrid situation and now looks like more mitigation strategies coming. We have been on hybrid since July 1, then did not need masks if vaccinated (got stickers on our IDs). So, we have been mingling/working together on our office days and now we have to mask (as of today) Hoping if vaccinated but test positive at any point we don’t have to quarantine? 🤷
1 Like
Fortunately, I work for higher education in Texas and there’s no ambiguity about masks. They’re not allowed to mandate them for faculty, staff, or students. It really wears on people bouncing around draconian mandates and restrictions like we’re in some never-ending game of ping-pong.
Dying and/or getting really sick really wears on people too.
23 Likes
My daughter’s work just confirmed back in the office after labor day, at least 2 days a week, can do more if they want, in their own desks (there was talk of “hoteling”), and in the office building she wanted to be in. I am doing the happy dance!
My daughter’s company just pushed back the date to be back in the office to October. In addition, all new hires must be vaccinated. She is so happy!
5 Likes
I don’t think it’s the mask mandates or restrictions that are wearing on people where I live and work also in higher Ed. It’s the ongoing pandemic and concern that the unvaxxed are keeping us from making progress. That “wears on people.”
21 Likes
Good luck with that. I think you’re going to see that ruling change.
2 Likes
Monday morning my Texas school district will have its annual convocation. Every district employee in a confined space talking, cheering, hugging, laughing, eating, pep rally atmosphere. Pre-pandemic this was one of my favorite days of the year. It gave us a tremendous boost of energy to start the year right. Last year the event was virtual and classes were hybrid at parent’s choice.
Unfortunately there will be no consideration of the virus this year. It’s over and gone, didn’t you hear? The ultra right wing has taken over the school board and everything will be mask free and wide open.
I’m so glad I’m retired.
2 Likes
Sounds like a superspreader event. I’m glad you’re retired too!
2 Likes
My office is having people back 2 days a week in Aug and 3 days a week going forward. My boss told me to get a medical exemption to work remotely. I just pulled my back, so it will work for few months. A few times I have been in the office, I have stayed in my office. I refused to go into a conference room with a lot of people for meetings.
2 Likes
I had a patient call our office wanting a medical exemption for work as she didn’t want to get the Covid vaccine. I explained that unless a patient had a true health issue where the vaccine was not warranted, we recommend all patient that are eligible, to receive the vaccine. This patient has only been to our office once, over 2 years ago, and her only health issue at that time was a maybe allergy to peanuts!
I told the patient that while I didn’t think we could provide the letter she wanted based on her history we had, she was welcome to make an appointment and discuss with the doctor. She had no interest in coming in unless she would be able to get a letter. I explained again that unless her medical information had changed, I did not believe a letter would be written, but again, that would be up to the doctor. When I mentioned that someone would need to be immuncompromised and not eligible for a vaccine, she wanted to know if i had a list of reason one shouldn’t receive the vaccine. 
I think she was just fishing for a reason to avoid the vaccine; oh, and she is a nurse!
I am guessing her work is requiring a vaccine and she doesn’t want one. I am thinking she will be looking for a new job soon!
5 Likes
My office pushed back reopening for a few more months and is requiring everyone to get vaccinated to return. It was voluntary but too many were not getting vaccinated. Leadership made it very clear that those not getting vaccinated, except those who can’t, were being selfish. I approve the message.
3 Likes
My D went back to work 2 days a week in May. She said that they will be going to 3 days in September, gradually going up to 5 days a week.
Everyone must be vaccinated by September to enter the building.
We had our citywide union meeting on last week. At the NYC DOE, everyone will be coming. back to work 5 days a week there are no remote options for teachers or students. If you are not vaccinated, you must do mandatory testing every week. If you do not test, you get sent home and you do not get paid.
There will be no covid medical accommodations this year that involve working from home. (The DOE was very generous with approving medical accommodations last year including giving accommodations to work from home if you live with an immunocompromised person). By the time we return in September, for some of us, it will be the first time entering a school in 18 months. Yes, everyone will have to mask up.
4 Likes
There is no way I’d write such a letter. The primary MD should be the one to verify an immune deficiency.
In the patient’s defense, we are an Allergy and Immunology practice. Without asking the physician, I know that letter was not going to be written! Even our ill patients are getting the vaccine.
1 Like
My bad. I’m a psychologist. I should have included various fields of medicine. I’m surprised that some of our patients will not get vaccinated.
2 Likes
I’m not back to work yet but I went in to set up my new office. In the meeting room down the hall, there was a teacher orientation. I could see the people seated near the door and most were unmasked and there was no social distancing. The county just south of us just reinstated their mask mandate. Common sense dictates social distancing and masks. SMH
I am an allergist, I have had one request for a medical exemption from a college student, the answer was absolutely not. If you don’t want your vaccine, don’t go back to school. I have had patients that may have been allergic to first doses and vaccine components who all begged me to let them get vaccines, there is almost nothing that would get me to write an exemption letter, glad others agree
10 Likes