#CaltechTogether: Maria Lopez
“When we first started on-campus surveillance testing for COVID-19, we had two sites for testing, one at the Center for Student Services Parking lot and one at the Bechtel Residence. I managed the work sites. I basically was the go-to person. I worked registration. I troubleshooted. I helped all those who were getting tested. Basically, I handled all the planning, all the logistics, going there on the weekend, setting up the sites, making sure everything was in order and in place. At each site, we were testing 300 to 400 people a day. We needed to make sure that inventory was available, that we had enough PPE. We just pulled together and did what we had to do. We made it happen. People were nervous. They were like, "Maria, when am I going to get the results?" "Maria, ... is this going to hurt?" I did my best to calm them down and just talk them through it. I have to say, the community did come together. We had folks from Dining Services that pulled in and helped us. We had volunteers who were working from home, who came in and helped, because we needed help. My team & I are still very active, as we are taking care of the community through this pandemic. I help wherever I am needed. I am Spanish speaking, and a huge part of our community is Spanish speaking, and they need help understanding. I have been trying to take care of myself too. I had started a walking group, the Pink Turtles, eight years ago. Unfortunately, when this pandemic hit, that had to come to a stop. But I decided, hey, we can keep this going via Zoom. It really helps to get some exercise and clear your mind a little bit.”
Maria Lopez is the office manager in Student Wellness Services. She was responsible for the planning and logistics around the Institute’s first three-week mandatory on-campus surveillance testing program for individuals who reported to campus that ran for three weeks in late 2020. The current testing program is being run by SwabSeq, an outside vendor.
#CaltechTogether is a special series of #SoCaltech spotlighting the many ways members of our community are joining together to support one another and to take responsibility for our collective health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Cuando comenzamos las pruebas de vigilancia en el campus para COVID-19, teníamos dos sitios para las pruebas, uno en el estacionamiento del Centro de Servicios Estudiantiles y otro en la Residencia Bechtel. Manejé los sitios de trabajo. Básicamente, era la persona a la que acudir. Trabajé registro. Lo solucioné. Ayudé a todos los que se estaban haciendo la prueba. Básicamente, manejé toda la planificación, toda la logística, ir el fin de semana, configurar los sitios, asegurarme de que todo estuviera en orden y en su lugar. En cada sitio, estábamos probando de 300 a 400 personas al día. Necesitábamos asegurarnos de que el inventario estuviera disponible, que tuviéramos suficiente PPE. Simplemente nos unimos e hicimos lo que teníamos que hacer. Lo hicimos realidad. La gente definitivamente estaba nerviosa. Dijeron, "María, ¿cuándo voy a obtener los resultados?" "María ... ¿te va a doler esto?" Hice lo mejor que pude para calmarlos y hablar con ellos. Tengo que decir que la comunidad se unió. Tuvimos gente de Dining Services que se acercó y nos ayudó. Teníamos voluntarios que trabajaban desde casa, que vinieron y ayudaron, porque necesitábamos ayuda. Mi equipo y yo todavía estamos muy activos, ya que estamos cuidando a la comunidad durante esta pandemia. Ayudo donde sea que me necesiten. Hablo español, y una gran parte de nuestra comunidad habla español, y necesitan ayuda para comprender. Yo también he intentado cuidarme. Había comenzado un grupo de caminatas, las Tortugas Rosadas, hace ocho años. Desafortunadamente, cuando estalló esta pandemia, tuvo que detenerse. Pero decidí, oye, podemos continuar con esto a través de Zoom. Realmente ayuda hacer algo de ejercicio y despejar un poco la mente ".
María López es la gerente de la oficina de Servicios de Bienestar Estudiantil. Fue responsable de la planificación y la logística en torno al primer programa obligatorio de pruebas de vigilancia en el campus de tres semanas del Instituto para las personas que se presentaron al campus y que duró tres semanas a fines de 2020. Las pruebas actuales programa está a cargo de SwabSeq, un proveedor externo.