Reynaldo Viray is one of several custodians who has continued to come to work at Berkeley Lab each day, performing essential functions that keep the Lab safe and functioning while in standby mode.
“It’s better to be here doing something productive than just staying home,” he said. “They need us here, so let’s be here.”
Viray has been a custodian at Berkeley Lab for 30 years and has worked in just about every building. These days he spends extra time sanitizing door handles and the like. He takes pride in his work. “All of my toilets now are sparkling clean,” he said.
But he does miss interacting with the students and scientists he used to see each day. And he also misses Filipino Martial Arts Club at the Lab, which he launched in 2004.
“I’d rather be here. Not for much longer though,” he said. Viray is looking forward to his planned retirement in June.