Coronavirus Chaos in The Workplace

The changes brought about by the Coronavirus aren't measured by the day, but by the hour. This is especially true in the workplace.

After having yesterday off, I came into work today with the expectation that I would be off on Thursday and back to work on Friday followed by a week on, a week off (or vice versa).

Those expectations have changed.

The law firm where I have worked for nearly a year and a half informed us that a staff member tested positive for the Coronavirus. My manager reached out to HR and was able to determine that I nor any of our staff members in our unit have been in contact with the infected individual.

In February, our unit actually moved into the basement. At the time I didn't think much of the move as it rendered us isolated from the firm. But in light of this global pandemic moving to the basement might have very well saved our lives. This statement is not hyperbolic.

Due to these circumstances, the firm sent us home for the day and has effectively shut down for the next two weeks. Our unit will remain open but we will rotate our shifts and remain isolated . I'm not scheduled to work again until next Tuesday and only for a half day. We will be compensated at full pay. At least for now.

I write this knowing full well this could change by this evening or tomorrow morning with a possible shelter in place order looming. Given everything that has transpired over the past 7 days who can say what will transpire over the next 6 days much less the next 24 hours? Only time will tell. The same is true for millions of Americans and people all over the world.