VISP COVID Policy

Our COVID policy will closely follow the policy derived for the Wasath-Uinta Field Camp that the Department of Geoscience participates. What follows below is a modified version of the field camp's policy for 2022.

New variants of Omicron are causing concern among the CDC and other public health organizations and are expected to cause a surge in infections and hospitalizations (more than 1,000,000 new infections expected before the fall). The Omicron variants are particularly troubling because they spread more easily and quickly than other variants. Even if a variant causes less severe disease in general, an increase in the overall number of cases could cause an increase in hospitalizations, put more strain on healthcare resources and potentially lead to more deaths.

For the VISP field school, any COVID outbreak would greatly impede our ability to conduct the field school. In a worst case scenario, it may force us to close the school immediately which has major implications for those attending and instructing as part of the school. The monetary losses would also be large.

Required Actions: Before Arriving at VISP

1. Limit Exposure as much as possible

• If possible self-isolate as much as possible for at least one week before traveling to the school.

• Wear a tight-fitting N95 mask whenever in the public spaces you must frequent (e.g., work, school)

• Do not visit restaurants, bars, concerts, or other public venues if at all possible, and wear a close fitting N95 mask if you must

• Limit exposure to other individuals outside of your immediate family

2. Negative COVID test result before departing for camp

To help prevent the spread of COIVD-19 among those traveling from home institutions to Oregon, please take RAPID or PCR test within 24 hours of departing to camp to ensure that you are not infected before traveling. If you discover you are infected with COVID-19 before departing to camp, please contact Shaun Marcott (smarcott@wisc.edu) and/or Lalo Guerrero (lalo.guerrero@pcc.edu) and we will discuss with you your options.

3. Bring Your Vaccination Card with you

All students must present their CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card(s) to a director (or designated leaders) upon arrival at the van pickup location on Monday morning so we can verify that you are fully vaccinated and have received all necessary boosters before you will be allowed to participate in any course-related activities.

4. Bring 2 RAPID tests with you

Everyone will perform one RAPID test upon arrival on Monday before the vans depart to the field school. A second test will be held in reserve if people suspect they may be infected. Do not wait to get your tests. RAPID test are widely available, but supply chain issues may complicate access. The Federal Government is currently distributing their 3rd round of free tests — visit the link below to have tests delivered to your house. Extra testing kits are encouraged by not required.

Free RAPID tests: https://special.usps.com/testkits

5. Bring N95 or KN95 Masks

Please purchase at least 3-5 good quality, comfortably fitting, N95 or KN95 masks. Cloth masks, buffs, face wraps, and surgical masks do not protect you from infection and will not be permitted. Please change masks every 1-3 days when/if necessary.

Please visit the CDC link below for more information on N95 masks: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/n95list1.html

COVID Policies at VISP

Pod Approach

To limit exposure of our group, we will be isolating our group from the public as much as possible and separating our groups into three separate house and travel vehicles. All public restaurants, bars, clubs, farmers markets, and other related activities are prohibited unless approved by the director of the camp. Small groups of KN95/N95 mask-wearing individuals may visit Walmart, grocery stores, drug stores, etc, but these outings must be coordinated in advance with the instructors. While traveling in the vans, we will wear N95/KN95 masks to further limit our risks of exposure.

Quarantine, Isolation, & Potential for VISP Shutdown

Anyone testing positive for COIVD will be placed into quarantine and isolation in accordance with policies established by the CDC and consortium universities. For more information on these policies, please visit the CDC link below: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html

These policies and procedures will continue to evolve as the 2022 Omicron surge continues to evolve. If the number of infected individuals reaches a threshold where the safety of students, participants, and faculty are compromised, VISP will shut down and students will return home early even if the course is not completed. This decision will be made by the instructors of the course with consultation with the students.