The Split Shift

Despite the sensationalism from folks about the recent COVID-19 tiger case in New York, we're not seeing too much of a direct impact of the virus on zoo animals (knock on wood).  The biggest concern from the profession is making sure that the animals aren't negatively impacted by staffing issues.  Many zoos and aquariums are being forced to furlough employees, though so far permanent animal caretakers (as opposed to seasonal or part-time staff in other departments) are still coming in and getting paid.  All of this could change, of course, depending on how things progress.

A zoo's nightmare, of course (well, one of them... we are all pretty friggin' neurotic) is that the virus would sweep through the staff and lay them all low which, in addition to the obviously being bad for health and safety of the staff, would also mean fewer people to care for the animals.  The thinner the staff, the greater the risk of mistakes, be it missing a health problem or accidentally causing an escape.

Zoos and aquariums are working hard to prevent this from happening.  One method has been to send away those who can be - if you can work from home (and even if you never thought you could before), well, now's your chance.  Another is to clean, obsessively, every door handle, keyboard, and other frequently touched object.  Another is to split the staff.

Many zoos and aquariums are now dividing their staffs in half, having an "A" team that works three days one week while "B" team covers the other four; then "A" team is on for four days and "B" for three, and so on.  There is no overlap between the teams.  That way, if someone in "A" gets the virus and spreads it to their colleagues, at least "B" team is (theoretically) safe.

Of course, if "A" team is out of action, then that just leaves team "B" to cover all seven days a week...

These have been - and will continue to be - a brutal few weeks for everyone.  Hopefully this is going to turn soon and we can all get back to seeing all of our coworkers again... even some I never thought I'd miss.