One of the long-running jokes among those who rely on videoconferencing platforms for their meetings is that those on the call don’t even need to wear pants because only their upper halves ever appear on camera.
A state agency in Wisconsin appears to be acutely focused on what can be seen on screen in this time of coronavirus outbreak, however, telling all employees they must wear masks whenever they’re on videoconferences—even if they’re at home.
In a July 31 email to employees, Department of Natural Resources secretary Preston Cole told staff must wear masks both in DNR building and while attending virtual meetings to comply with Gov. Tony Evers’ mask mandate, according to a Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel report.
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“Also, wear your mask, even if you are home, to participate in a virtual meeting that involves being seen — such as on Zoom or another video-conferencing platform — by non-DNR staff,” Cole wrote, according to the report.
“Set the safety example which shows you as a DNR public service employee care about the safety and health of others,” the report quotes Cole as saying.
The governor’s mask order requires face coverings to be worn in indoor public spaces, and does not include residencies, according to the Journal-Sentinel.
Here’s more on why the DNR enacted the mask-on policy for video conferences, according to The Hill:
DNR spokesperson Megan Sheridan told McClatchy that the department wanted its employees to set an example for others by displaying their masks.
“By wearing a mask while video conferencing with the general public, we visually remind folks that masking is an important part of navigating the business of natural resources during this tumultuous time,” Sheridan said.
She added that screenshots of virtual meetings could also be “taken out of context” and “could be misinterpreted to suggest that state employees are not properly following” the mandate.
State Rep. Joe Sanfelippo (R) told the Journal Sentinel that he thinks most people should wear masks in public but called the DNR’s policy for teleconferences ridiculous.
“I’m more inclined to support things that actually do help as opposed to just putting on an appearance of helping,” he told the newspaper.
This is certainly a new one to me and certainly appears to be more about looking like you’re being responsible during the pandemic than actually being responsible.
I’m just glad none of the people I’ve interviewed since my work-from-home adventure began in mid-March have had similar mandates from their employers. Perhaps an integrator in the Badger State needs to offer some clarification here.
Are there filters DNR staff can use to make it look like they’re wearing masks even from the comfort of their own living rooms?
And, no, it didn’t escape me that Cole’s letter to DNR staff made no mention of whether they needed to wear pants while on video conferences.
