[Exports_all] EXPORTS Status

Wed Mar 11 08:18:56 PDT 2020

Hi All,

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. 

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. 

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.

Best,
Roo

——————————————————————
David (Roo) Nicholson
Associate Scientist
Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry Department
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
dnicholson at whoi.edu <mailto:dnicholson at whoi.edu> • 508-289-3547
boomlab.whoi.edu <http://boomlab.whoi.edu/>
——————————————————————

> On Mar 11, 2020, at 10:38 AM, Exports_all for Claudia Benitez-Nelson <exports_all at espo.nasa.gov> wrote:
> 
> Dear All,
> 
> 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. 
> 
> 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.
> 
> 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. 
> 
> My 2 cents,
> 
> Claudia
> 
> ---
> Dr. Claudia Benitez-Nelson
> Associate Dean for Instruction, Community Engagement, & Research 
> Carolina Distinguished Professor & Endowed Chair in Marine Studies
> School of the Earth, Ocean, & Environment
> 701 Sumter Street, EWSC 408/Petigru 204
> University of South Carolina
> Columbia, SC 29208
> 
> website <https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/artsandsciences/earth_ocean_and_environment/our_people/directory/benitez-nelson_claudia.php>
> 
> On Wed, Mar 11, 2020 at 9:32 AM Exports_all for Passow, Uta <exports_all at espo.nasa.gov <mailto:exports_all at espo.nasa.gov>> wrote:
> Hi all,
> 
> 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. 
> 
> Trying to be realistic we now know that 
> 
> 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. 
> 
> 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.
> 
> 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).
> 
> These Boats will also be far from home, meaning we leave behind people who might need our support at this time. 
> 
> 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 :-)). 
> 
> Stay safe and avoid close contacts to lots of people
> 
> Regards
> 
> Uta
> 
> On 2020-03-10 11:59 p.m., Exports_all for Ken Buesseler wrote:
>> 
>> Hi all-
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 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.  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.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Ken
>> 
>> On 3/10/2020 9:21 PM, Exports_all for Lorenzoni, Laura (HQ-DK000) wrote:
>>> Dear EXPORTS family,
>>> 
>>>  
>>> 
>>> 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.
>>> 
>>>  
>>> 
>>> 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 (laura.lorenzoni at nasa.gov <mailto:laura.lorenzoni at nasa.gov>) 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.
>>> 
>>>  
>>> 
>>> 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.
>>> 
>>>  
>>> 
>>> Thank you all for being part of EXPORTS!
>>> 
>>> Laura (on behalf of the Project Office)
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
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>> -- 
>> Ken Buesseler
>> Senior Scientist, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
>> http://cafethorium.whoi.edu <http://cafethorium.whoi.edu/>     @Cafe_Thorium
>> Director, Center for Marine and Environmental Radioactivity
>> http://www.whoi.edu/CMER <http://www.whoi.edu/CMER>        @whoi_cmer
>> 508-289-2309
>> 
>> 
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