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 2024.

New variants of COVID-19 are causing concern among the CDC and other public health organizations and surges in infections and hospitalizations are now common. The Omicron variants are particularly troubling because they spread more easily and quickly than prior 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 Christina Friedle (christina.friedle@pcc.edu) and we will discuss with you your options.

3. Bring 2 RAPID tests with you

Everyone will perform one RAPID test upon or before arrival on Monday before the vans depart to the field school. Please take a photo of your negative test just to have as a record.  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 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 

4. Bring N95 or KN95 Masks

Please purchase 1-2 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 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

Fortunately, the VISP camp is largely isolated from the public during our days in the field. We ask that you work to limit your exposure to the general public within reason. When you venture out to the grocery store, drug store or elsewhere, we ask that you do all you can to keep a safe distance from members of the public, and if you find yourself in a perceived risky setting, listen to your internal alarms and extract yourself.  

If the COVID situation changes for the worse, or if we have infection in Camp, we will change our COVID-policies accordingly and strictly.

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 pandemic continues to evolve. If the number of infected individuals reaches a threshold where the safety of students, staff, and faculty are compromised, camp 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 VISP program and will be communicated to the students as decision are being made.