SAFETY PROTOCOLS

This information is current as of Monday, March 7, 2022, but maybe updated closer to the retreat if conditions change. Currently in Princeton, New Jersey, face masks are strongly recommended for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in any indoor settings where there is increased risk, which includes the retreat events. You may remove your mask while actively eating or drinking, but please put it back on when finished. You can find detailed information on the mask mandate here.

In addition to the facemask requirement, Understanding Interventions (UI) requires that all attendees be vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of attending the workshop, in accordance with our Vaccination Requirement and Waiver of Liability. UI requires that all participants in its in-person meetings, events, and convenings - including, but not limited to, presenters, attendees, exhibitors, staff, and guests - be fully vaccinated.

Participants must certify that they are fully vaccinated to attend any in-person UI event. Additionally, you attend the retreat, you will notice that seating is farther apart to allow physical distancing. For example, tables that usually seat ten people will now seat five. The Chauncey Hotel & Conference Center has a complete list of their updated COVID-19 protocols and practices here.

As a reminder, anyone feeling sick or displaying symptoms of COVID-19, or who has been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, should refrain from traveling and attending the meeting.

Vaccination Requirement and Waiver of Liability for Understanding Interventions that Broaden Participation in STEM Events

Understanding Interventions (UI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for its staff, volunteers, and program participants. With this goal in mind throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, UI has complied with emergency orders from local, state, and federal entities and developed its own policies and procedures. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved and provided Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson (J&J)/Janssen for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by sever acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The World Health Organization (WHO) has also listed AstraZeneca/Oxford for emergency use. These vaccines have shown in millions of people to be highly effective at preventing the spread of and most severe effects of COVID-19 disease. The science supporting these vaccines is sound and inoculation for COVID-19 is the most effective path to a return to normalcy.

Therefore, effective October 6, 2021, UI will require that all participants in its in-person meetings, events, and convenings - including, but not limited to, presenters, attendees, exhibitors, staff, and guests - be fully vaccinated¹.

Participants must certify that they are fully vaccinated, or will be fully vaccinated by the date of the event, in order to register for and/or attend any in-person event. Participants must have proof of viral test conducted on a sample taken no more than 3 days (72 hours) prior to the start of the event. The test must:

• have sufficient personally identifiable information (at a minimum full name and date of birth) to confirm that the letter matches with your valid ID or passport.

• clearly state that the results are "negative," SARS-CoV-2 RNA not detected," SARS-CoV-2 antigen not detected," or "COVID-19 not detected." A test marked "invalid" is not acceptable.

Accommodations may be offered on a case-by-case basis for any in-person participant who is unable to be vaccinated due to disability or sincerely-held religious beliefs. UI requires any individual approved for an accommodation to provide a letter from a licensed physician documenting the medical contraindication before participating in an UI event. The letter must:

• be signed and dated on official letterhead that contains contact information (name, address, and phone number) of a licensed healthcare provider.

• clearly state that the name participant has a medical contraindication to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. The name of the COVID-19 vaccine product and the medical condition must both be listed.

• have sufficient personally identifiable information (at a minimum full name and date of birth) to confirm that the letter matches with your valid ID or passport.

UI will follow all local, state, and federal guidelines, but reserves the right to impose more stringent requirements (e.g., mandatory mask-wearing for all attendees) at its events. Because guidelines and recommendations are regularly being updated, UI may make changes to its policies and practices on limited notice as circumstances develop.

By registering for and participating in any UI-sponsored event, I acknowledge and understand the following:

1. Participation in the event includes possible exposure to and illness from infectious diseases including but not limited to COVID-19. While particular rules and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious illness and death does exist and may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of UI employees, event participants, vendors, and those coming into contact with those individuals;

2. I understand that, although UI can put mechanisms in place to minimize the risk of infectious diseases, UI cannot eliminate the risks associated with its events. I knowingly and freely assume all such risks related to illness and infectious diseases, such as COVID-19;

3. I hereby knowingly assume the risk of injury, harm, and loss associated with the event, including any injury, harm, and loss caused by the negligence, fault, or conduct of any kind on the part of UI;

4. I acknowledge and agree that, in the event of a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 being reported to UI as a result of any event, UI may be required to share personal participant information internally or with public health authorities, including for the purposes of potential contact tracing; and

5. I agree to comply with all infectious disease protocols, including any COVID-19 protocols, established by UI in connection with the event, including any distancing or mask requirements as and if applicable.

Testing

With our move to make our gatherings in-person where possible, we have also seen the need to be vigilant and to take extra precautions. Such precautions include our requiring prior vaccination of attendees. Additionally, we are providing access to rapid COVID testing prior to travel and during the meetings. For our meetings beginning March 31 - April 2, 2022, and until further notice, we have decided on the following:

1. All attendees are to show proof of vaccination prior to attendance.

2. We will provide, as a courtesy, home test kits with a 15-minute turnaround time for results, for attendees to use prior to traveling. Please see the attached information regarding the kit and reliability.

3. Test kits will be available for testing during the meetings.

4. As per policies of the host state and the venue, masks will be required to be worn in interior spaces that facilitate contact with other attendees and staff. We will also provide hand sanitizers and wipes at stations for use by our attendees.

Antigen tests are available to be sent to your home prior to travel. To request this test, prior to travel, please respond to me with your request. Otherwise, tests are available on site to be self-administered prior to the start of the meeting.

For more information on the Flow Flex antigen test being, click here.