By the time it gets to the lab tech, it's unlikely that the virus would be as viable as it is when exiting the host. This would be especially true if the swab i

By the time it gets to the lab tech, it's unlikely that the virus would be as viable as it is when exiting the host. This would be especially true if the swab is put into some sort of preservation liquid (I don't know for this test, but often the nasopharyngeal swabs are put in such a fluid). Remember you don't care about the virus, you only care about its genome. Even if the virus is viable, it's no longer airborne. You'd have to touch the swab and bring it to your face. Most of these labs handle things like HIV, so lab procedures and training guard against this sort of behavior. I wouldn't be surprised if they worked with shields as well. In short, maybe they should be paid more, but it's not the danger factor that should govern in this particular case.