Mood clouded: research also "groaning" under Corona pressure

Retailers have been struggling massively for some time, as has the restaurant trade. The economy is literally upside down and there seems to be no real end in sight to the "Corona Madness". Uncertainty in business, commerce and industry is high. There seems to be no improvement in sight. In science and research, too, a rather negative mood is currently emerging.

The shortage of materials - another hurdle in times of Corona

No one knows how this precarious situation will develop in the coming weeks and months. Now research is also struggling. With regard to materials and equipment in the laboratory area, there is literally a shortage at every corner and end. Do such elementary areas as science, research and medicine now really have to suffer from the severe effects of Covid-19? Many questions remain unanswered - and more are constantly being added.

Cloudy mood in science, research and medicine

Throughout Germany, there are approximately 160 to 170 laboratories conducting research on the Covid-19 virus. In these selected institutes, clinics and similar facilities alone, more than 100,000 experiments related to Corona are carried out each week. The people in charge are highly committed and have a great deal of expertise in their work to generate new results in the fight against the virus. In order to continue to accomplish this at this high level, numerous materials and samples are required. Pipettes, gloves, mouth-nose masks, medical technology and other laboratory equipment are also needed in the numerous other German laboratories.

After all, research, experimentation and testing are also carried out here in order to gain new insights in a wide range of specialist areas. Independent of the Covid 19 pandemic. Extrapolated, there are between 1,600 and 2,450 laboratories specializing in the fields of environmental, food and medical analysis, among others. Personnel employed in these specialties are currently feeling the shortage of materials particularly acutely.

Protecting research

Both the Covid laboratories and the numerous other laboratories within Germany are complaining about a rapidly increasing demand for materials. And they are doing so in a wide variety of areas. What seemed almost unthinkable before the Corona crisis is now sheer reality. In view of the immense increase in the number of corona cases, it is hardly possible for supplier companies to meet the demand for laboratory materials and equipment regularly and in full.

Certainly, there is a shortage of materials in a wide variety of areas. Not only in this country, but throughout Europe. But does this really mean that the areas of research, science and medicine should not be subject to a certain degree of protection? After all, these essential areas should - despite the almost omnipresent social and public pressure - not be subject to any additional restrictions if at all possible.

Material and personnel bottlenecks likely this year as well

In a survey, almost half of all laboratory technicians interviewed in Europe complained that they receive ordered equipment or materials from the liquid handling segment either much too late or, in some cases, not at all. In Germany, this figure is even well above the 50 percent mark. It is therefore not surprising that the situation in the laboratories has been extremely tense for months.

Under certain circumstances, those affected even have to improvise in order to adhere to applicable specifications and to be able to adequately process planned projects. In this respect, it is not only striking to think that even laboratories and clinics whose main area of responsibility is the fight against the Corona pandemic are affected. Rather, almost all laboratories have actually suffered from this development.

Will the situation soon be defused?

Certainly, over the course of the past weeks and months, the vaccines that have been left too low have raised hopes that the overall situation will soon change. Nevertheless, most laboratory technicians agree that the situation is unlikely to calm down this year either. On the contrary. In fact, demand for liquid handling materials will continue to rise. As a result, suppliers could find themselves under further pressure.

Indeed, one is reminded of the retail trade mentioned at the beginning of this article. Apparently, in these times it is indispensable to stock up on equipment and laboratory materials. After all, this is the only way to ensure smooth workflows in the labs in the short, medium and long term and to ease the mood, at least to a certain extent.

Unequal treatment - are Covid labs given preference?

In laboratories and clinics across a wide range of disciplines, it is apparent that it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain liquid handling materials. Nearly half of the laboratory technicians surveyed expressed the suspicion that the reason for the now "chronic" material shortages is that medical laboratories are clearly given preference in most cases when it comes to deliveries. This is a problem that still needs urgent clarification.

But that's not all, because not only are there supply bottlenecks, but research and science are also suffering from a shortage of qualified personnel.

At least the personnel situation could ease

Although it has been a known problem for some time - Corona has made it worse. In this context, we are talking about the sometimes worrying shortage of skilled personnel in laboratories. A look at the bigger picture reveals the great progress that has already been made in the field of digitization. Thus, at this point in time, it is assumed that this positive development could well be beneficial with regard to the shortage of personnel in science and research.

With special management systems, for example, you can achieve that certain processes can be simplified and workflows accelerated or at least made more economical with the help of more efficient networks. This could make professions in the laboratory sector much more attractive for junior staff or even for ambitious career changers. This is an aspect that could make a significant contribution to counteracting the shortage of personnel in science and research.

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