NRAO/GBO Update - Mon Mar 23rd
To all NRAO/GBO employees:
We are in our second week of Infectious Disease Operating Status (IDOS), and continuing to adjust our Observatory operations to address issues that are arising. Over the weekend ALMA shutdown telescope operations (collecting data), but all archive and user support activities continue, although at reduced efficiency. The North American NRAO/GBO instruments remain operational. IT systems are performing well. As a team, we are stable in this new environment.
The situation in the US continues to evolve rapidly, and it is not possible at this point to predict when federal, state or other constraints will be relaxed. Although we triggered IDOS on the basis of schools closing in our site regions, we have just learned that some of these school systems will not be returning this year (Virginia). It is likely the others (WV, NM) may soon follow. A good question is – what will be the trigger for NRAO/GBO to return to normal operating status? At this point, I’m afraid I can’t answer that. For now, our default plan is to resume normal operations sometime in early/mid April, but in all honesty I expect to announce an extension of IDOS (possibly: for another two months) within the next few weeks. I suggest you begin planning for a significant extension of this working arrangement.
In addition: it is also possible that state governors will order the closing of all non-essential businesses (this just announced in Virginia and West Virginia). For the time being, we are asserting that this closure of non-essential businesses does not apply to our federally-funded NRAO/GBO/AUI activities, i.e. we will continue to work in all locations. We are working with NSF to have our facilities registered as “essential activities” with the relevant states. More on this in coming days.
At the moment, there are no confirmed reports of NRAO/GBO staff members (or their family members) with COVID-19, but getting tested is not always possible. Several members of staff have reported fevers and flu-like complaints, but this is not unusual at any time of year, and without testing it is hard to draw conclusions. It is inevitable that over the course of the next 2-3 months we will see a fraction of the NRAO/GBO staff (or family members) testing positive for the disease. We are discussing how to deal with infection in the workplace, and I encourage you to also think about it at home: e.g. how to limit the spread of the disease to your homes, and possibly how you would approach quarantining someone at home for 14 days. In developing these personal plans, if there is any guidance or information we can provide to assist you, don’t hesitate to ask (please contact Jody Bolyard jbolyard@nrao.edu) or me. If you or members of your family are unwell (either tested for COVID-19 or not), please let HR know at some point, so we can assess the overall health of everyone.
IMPORTANT: later today you will receive information from the Budget Dept. on how to fill out your timecards before Friday. I strongly suggest you get started on that tomorrow, leaving time to address any issues before the end of the week. Budget and MIS will have example timecards to show, and will also arrange for a call-in session later in the week for anyone having issues. People without access to computers during this IDOS period need to work closely with their supervisors to remain up-to-date – there is a plan to assist you.
This is a stressful time, with changes on a daily basis. Between the time I started this note and finished the first draft, the state of Virginia closed schools and non-essential businesses for the year, and WV shuttered non-essential businesses. Every day is a new assault on our normal lives. But we are successfully holding our lives and Observatories together… and fortunate to have resources to support our families and maintain our mission. Many people in this country are not so lucky, I fear. During this time it is critically important you all look after yourselves physically and emotionally, especially people with family members at risk.
My next note will be Thursday March 26th. There may also be other emails this week, confirming out “essential” work status with respect to state lockdowns. Any staff member with questions, concerns or comments, please contact your supervisor, Department Head, Site Director, or me. The website containing all our COVID support information is: https://info.nrao.edu/covid-19
Tony Beasley
