So it has been awhile since I last visited the forum and I re-read what I posted for 2020-2021.  By mid-2022, the University has since pushed the idea of in-person teaching (both lecture but especially lab) for various reasons.  What is clear is that the calibre of bench skills entering my 3rd (junior) and 4th (senior) year courses is not what it once was.  The online craze has had a noticeable impact on the students ability to execute the simplest chores, so much so that we had to redesign one of my labs from a project-based lab to a fundamental lab technique-improvement course.   Time will tell if I stick with this format as it has its merits, notably allowing students to repeat and improve their technical skills. Another observation: during the height of the pandemic when we had students working individually, spaced at least 1.5 metres apart with full PPE, they were really struggling to complete the assigned tasks.  Take the same person and pair them with a partner (of similar skill), now they are able to cope.  If there was ever a case of 1+1=3, this was it.  Lastly, for those that manage long (3hr+) and/or intense labs, be mindful of students who respect Ramadan; their energy levels are really variable and easily plummet in short order.  This could be a health and safety issue if you and they are not careful.