[Exports_project_office] Comments on anonymous form - please read

[Ivona Cetinic]

Hello,

updates on the comments. I answered some easy ones in the general email to
the _all list. Hower many remain. I got total of 13 comments so far:

1) several of the comments express their positive view of everything that
we are doing and looking forward to the cruise (3)

2) A couple of questions have more to do with the quarantine itself such as:*
"** Hello, I was wondering if a relative can come quarantine with me in the
hotel. Also, which rooms are we expecting if we are students (I saw
different dimensions in the hotel's web)? "  *
I will deal with those questions via email/ and 5 minutes at the
beginning of the Process cruise meeting on thursday.

3) Several of the comments express their concern of the potential false
positives, and ask clarifications on how it will be dealt with - also they
inquire clarification on what will happen if one gets sick:
e.g. *" What happens if someone test positive right before the mob? Will
that person get looked after financially and logistically?"*
e.g.* " **It remains unclear to me what the procedure will be for someone
who tests positive and becomes symptomatic. Will they be provided an
oximeter, thermometer, palliative medications? Or will they need to secure
those themselves? The names of medications are completely different in the
UK and we might need some translation/guidance on sources. Will someone
check on them on a regular basis to make sure they're ok or does that need
to be arranged within lab groups? What are the details of the health
coverage and/or potential costs to the participant? Are there local contact
people that folks can reach out to for help/questions? *
*Sorry for so many questions, but this is something I'm really concerned
about. It seems if we are going to move forward with this, it's a real
risk. Thank you!"*
I would appreciate some time to discuss these on PO meeting.

4) And then there are worrisome ones:
*"After my concerns for the health of all participants and about the
general trajectory of the pandemic, my biggest worry is that a participant
who is not as invested in the success of the field campaign (or who is
simply more invested in other projects/aspects of their life -- which
should also be OK) will take a risk that jeopardizes the whole thing. I
think NASA should commit resources to help mitigate this type of risk, as
much as possible."*

*"Dave mentioned that we might shorten our quarantine to 10 days and we
would be able to do this because we would be designated as "sea farers." I
know it is incredibly expensive to keep that many people in a hotel for
that long and every day probably helps with finances. But from a COVID
safety standpoint, why would we try to "get around" the current law in the
UK (requiring a 14 day quarantine from anyone entering the country) and/or
flaunt the CDC and probably all of our institutions' best practices? If
there is even the slightest chance of someone developing COVID in those
last 4 days, despite testing, why wouldn't we just do a 14 day quarantine
and follow the rules? "*

and the most depressing one:
*"There are way too many uncertainties out of our hands. (1) The experiment
starts and ends in UK, the epicenter of new COVID variants; (2) Most of
people will travel between two biggest airports in the world, New York and
London, with arguably greatest exposure to the viruses; (3) Travel bans
imposed by the governments, including the US government and the other
countries that flights may transit; (4) It is almost impossible to have
emergency personnel backup in case COVID-19 positive happens; (5) visa
issues for non-US citizens. The science is great, and in a sense very
enticing. While we can always say it is a personal decision, there are
unintended pressures forcing people to choose between science and personal
safety/health. This is unfair and to a certain extent cruel.*  "

Thank you for taking time to readthese. #3 and #4 are most concerning. I
would love a discussion (specifically on #3) how to move forward.

Ivona
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