Photo by Rayner Simpson on Unsplash
By Jakob Cowan
During the pandemic, SVC security officers haven’t had to work all that much, because there haven’t been any students. But now that there is new light the security has been reinstated and therefore they have come back. On a daily basis they have to check to make sure students have a pass to park as well as make sure that the students are safe during the time they are at school. They are also required to report any suspicious activity to the authorities. More importantly they are required to wear a mask at all times to keep themselves and others safe from the Coronavirus. Of course as always they will be required to wash their hands and make sure they wear gloves when searching through something. After speaking with Mike Brandeshire of the Skagit Valley College security about the hardships of working during COVID he said, “With COVID-19 it has made being at work harder especially with having to wear a mask. Sometimes I get weird looks while I’m trying to drink my coffee.” He said and laughed afterwards. It is good to keep morale high at this time.
He also said that “The first order of the day for all security companies has been making sure their workers remain safe, particularly, but not exclusively, those who are serving the healthcare sector. “It’s not just at hospital facilities, but everywhere,” Brandeshire says. “This is a pandemic hitting people in every single sector, in every area.”
The college also has been instructing guards about workstation cleanliness and, in many circumstances, providing officers with personal protective equipment (PPE) along with instructions on how to use it. “With all of our officers, we have been very explicit in our instructions about cleanliness, hand sanitizer, washing hands, and social distance and space in dealing with people,” he says. During this time it is important for students to thank the security officers who are working even in these hard times.
