Originally published by Txchnologist.
It's hard to imagine an environment where instant and clear communication is more critical than in biodefense labs dealing with the most lethal pathogens on Earth. And yet, these facilities, which are few in number and rich in potential nightmares, often require researchers to tap on each other's shoulders and shout in order to be heard.
It is so difficult for scientists to talk to one another because they work in heavy, cumbersome, noisy suits designed to protect them. Air pumped into these suits hisses at up to 85 decibels, nearly the same noise level produced by a passenger train approaching a station. Also, wireless telecommunication signals don't move easily through facilities used for handling the worst infectious diseases because they have thick concrete walls, steel doors and special plumbing and ventilation designed to stop absolutely anything from entering or escaping.
Workers in the most highly secure of these labs are reduced to using pen and paper, whiteboards, special computer keyboards with one-inch keys to accommodate double-gloved fingers, walkie-talkies and phones held against the outside of their suits.
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