<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div class="">Hi All,</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">I agree with the recent sentiments that the best outcome given the current situation would be to delay the entire mission until next year. Even if we do not have certainty at this time about what we could accomplish next year, I believe the risk for a significant segment of the EXPORTS family is too high. We really need to get ahead of this situation because the further we commit to this year, the more likely we are to put some team members at an unacceptable risk. Furthermore, the more likely we are to end up with a ‘partial’ EXPORTS and no second chance. </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Each of us has our own calculation of the risk/benefit for participating in EXPORTS. For many students a delay in a year is a much bigger deal and the risks are lower based on how the severity of COVID-19 relates to age. Others may have higher health risk and have greater responsibilities back at home. </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">This ongoing dialogue from our group is incredibly useful and there are absolutely valid opinions on either side of whether participating this year would be a wise decision. Hopefully we can rapidly come to a decision that is best for the EXPORTS program as a whole.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Best,</div><div class="">Roo</div><div class=""><br class=""><div class="">
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">——————————————————————</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><b class="">David (Roo) Nicholson</b></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">Associate Scientist</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry Department</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><a href="mailto:dnicholson@whoi.edu" class="">dnicholson@whoi.edu</a> • 508-289-3547</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><a href="http://boomlab.whoi.edu" class="">boomlab.whoi.edu</a></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">——————————————————————</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" class=""><br class=""></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline">
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<div><br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class="">On Mar 11, 2020, at 10:38 AM, Exports_all for Claudia Benitez-Nelson <<a href="mailto:exports_all@espo.nasa.gov" class="">exports_all@espo.nasa.gov</a>> wrote:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><div class=""><div dir="ltr" class="">Dear All,<div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">I would like to echo Uta's concerns. I do not feel comfortable bringing my team to a foreign port without any additional information on contingency planning should a science/crew member be diagnosed with COVID-19. What are the plans in the event that infection occurs? Will testing be available? What about quarantine not only on the ship, but after we are allowed to dock (if at all). Given the rapid spread of the virus. the cancellation of large gatherings and lock down on travel, I would like to know where my team will be housed for the duration should we not be allowed back into the United States (or other destination) simply because we are on foreign soil. My University is considering additional travel restrictions - just learned today that we will be shutting down for an additional week of spring break. I am unsure about whether a waiver can be obtained, or if we would be covered by required travel insurance. </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">At the same time, I am also worried about leaving my family for such a period given the ongoing uncertainties in school/work closures and other quarantines. It's one thing to be gone and to have things out of your control happen (remember the Hurricane?), it's another to purposefully leave when so much is unknown.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">If the Discovery and Sarmiento are cancelled, this would leave us with just the Atlantis. That would be hugely disappointing as the main goal of EXPORTS was the multiple ship operations with diverse sampling. The most responsible thing to do at this point would be to delay the entire mission for a year. Yes - I know this means money and delays in research (our students!), but I would certainly prefer to reduce unneeded risk. </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">My 2 cents,</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Claudia</div><div class=""><br clear="all" class=""><div class=""><div dir="ltr" data-smartmail="gmail_signature" class=""><div dir="ltr" class=""><div class=""><div dir="ltr" class=""><div class=""><div dir="ltr" class=""><div class=""><div dir="ltr" class=""><div dir="ltr" class=""><div dir="ltr" class=""><div dir="ltr" class=""><div dir="ltr" class=""><div dir="ltr" class=""><div dir="ltr" class=""><div dir="ltr" class=""><div dir="ltr" class=""><div class="">---</div>Dr. Claudia Benitez-Nelson<br class="">Associate Dean for Instruction, Community Engagement, & Research <br class="">Carolina Distinguished Professor & Endowed Chair in Marine Studies<br class="">School of the Earth, Ocean, & Environment<br class="">701 Sumter Street, EWSC 408/Petigru 204<br class="">University of South Carolina<br class="">Columbia, SC 29208<br class=""><br class=""><div class=""><a href="https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/artsandsciences/earth_ocean_and_environment/our_people/directory/benitez-nelson_claudia.php" target="_blank" class="">website</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br class=""></div></div><br class=""><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Wed, Mar 11, 2020 at 9:32 AM Exports_all for Passow, Uta <<a href="mailto:exports_all@espo.nasa.gov" target="_blank" class="">exports_all@espo.nasa.gov</a>> wrote:<br class=""></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div class=""><p class="">Hi all,</p><p class="">I appreciate all the chatter on the topic. Personally, right now
I feel deeply uncomfortable at the thought of going on the ship in
four weeks - as much as I hate to even think that. But as a
scientist It seems to me that we are on a downhill slide on this.
I'd love to be convinced otherwise. <br class="">
</p><p class="">Trying to be realistic we now know that <br class="">
</p><p class="">some carriers of Corona may not have any symptoms, e.g. spread it
and go completely undetected for a long time. This explains while
first in China and now in Europe the rate of "infected people"
increased by an order of magnitude per week for the first 2-3
weeks. <br class="">
</p><p class="">that the only thing that seems to help is efficient social
isolation. This is important to avoid hospitals getting
overwhelmed with the fraction of people who do need
hospitalization. The "wave of illness" has to be flattened to
allow efficient help to those who need it. (When Germany cancels
spectators for the soccer matches, you can be sure it has a good
reason). Planes which we will all use to get there are not good
examples of social isolation.<br class="">
</p><p class="">Boats are incubators (I remember one member catching a stomach
flu during a brief refueling stop in Pakistan - there was almost
no way to contain this).</p><p class="">These Boats will also be far from home, meaning we leave behind
people who might need our support at this time. <br class="">
</p><p class="">The USA is closely following Europe, which is following China.
Who knows what is really going on in Iran. Canada is a bit behind,
Africa is very behind - but in 4 weeks it will be everywhere
(except China maybe <span class=""><span class="">:-)</span></span>).
<br class="">
</p><p class="">Stay safe and avoid close contacts to lots of people<br class="">
</p><p class="">Regards</p><p class="">Uta<br class="">
</p>
<div class="">On 2020-03-10 11:59 p.m., Exports_all
for Ken Buesseler wrote:<br class="">
</div>
<blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class=""> <br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div><p class="MsoNormal">Hi all-</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br class="">
</p><p class="MsoNormal">I appreciate the EXPORTS “family” greeting
from Laura, and like a family, I’m guessing this email will open
up a wide range of responses from make it happen, to cut our
losses. I’ve heard these last couple days from several PIs
concerned about the risks of moving ahead, not just in response
to the denial at MIT of exceptions to their travel ban, but also
personal stories of friends and family who are impacted in one
way or another.<span class=""> </span>The
medical situation and social response is getting worse (just
look at Italy), and I have no faith it will be getting better
(look at our government). So while my perspective on this type
of work has been go, go, go, since well before EXPORTS, LETZGO
and VERTIGO, there are forces beyond our control that make this
a time to reconsider our options.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br class="">
</p><p class="MsoNormal">Ken<br class="">
</p>
<div class="">On 3/10/2020 9:21 PM, Exports_all for
Lorenzoni, Laura (HQ-DK000) wrote:<br class="">
</div>
<blockquote type="cite" class="">
<div class=""><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt" class="">Dear
EXPORTS family,<u class=""></u><u class=""></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt" class=""><u class=""></u> <u class=""></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt" class="">NASA and
the EXPORTS project office have been closely following the
developments related to the COVID-19, and we have been
discussing what the implications of the current situation
could be on our work, our daily lives, and each of us as
individuals. As we move closer to our set sail dates in
April, we are considering all factors and making the
necessary decisions to mitigate potential risks to your
safety and the work you’ve been invested in for the past
three years. <u class=""></u><u class=""></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt" class=""> <u class=""></u><u class=""></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt" class="">It is our
priority that our scientists and colleagues feel safe and
comfortable undertaking the work which they are passionate
about. You all know that our (Dave, Ivona and my) door is
always open to you to express any concerns, frustrations,
or simply to ask questions. As we continue to navigate the
situation, I ask that you please don’t hesitate giving me
a call (202.358.0917 office /202.329.4052 mobile) or send
me an email (<a href="mailto:laura.lorenzoni@nasa.gov" target="_blank" class="">laura.lorenzoni@nasa.gov</a>) if
you wish to discuss anything in particular, need to vent,
or just need a sounding board for anything. Ivona and Dave
are also at your disposal. Rest assured that we are
monitoring the situation regularly and discussing the
rapidly evolving conditions on a daily basis. <u class=""></u><u class=""></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt" class=""><u class=""></u> <u class=""></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt" class="">We will
probably have a project call within the next few days to
inform all of you of our current thinking and situation.
In the meantime, please reach out if you’d like to talk.
We depend on each other for the success of EXPORTS, and
the passion for the work you do is what has made it all
possible so far. Even in adversity it is important to
remain optimistic, and above all stay safe. <u class=""></u><u class=""></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt" class=""><u class=""></u> <u class=""></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt" class="">Thank you
all for being part of EXPORTS!<u class=""></u><u class=""></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt" class="">Laura (on
behalf of the Project Office)<u class=""></u><u class=""></u></span></p>
</div>
<br class="">
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</pre>
</blockquote>
<pre cols="72" class="">--
Ken Buesseler
Senior Scientist, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
<a href="http://cafethorium.whoi.edu/" target="_blank" class="">http://cafethorium.whoi.edu</a> @Cafe_Thorium
Director, Center for Marine and Environmental Radioactivity
<a href="http://www.whoi.edu/CMER" target="_blank" class="">http://www.whoi.edu/CMER</a> @whoi_cmer
508-289-2309
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</blockquote>
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