Conference COVID-19 Guidelines
We are looking forward to gathering in person for the first time since 2019. We have missed the community and opportunities for conversation and socializing that come with conferencing. Acknowledging that there continues to be risk in gathering, particularly as masking and vaccination restrictions have lifted in many places, we are nonetheless hoping that the same spirit of community that brings us together will guide us as we approach gathering with mutual care, mindful of each other’s health and safety. We also acknowledge that the public health situation has been and continues to be challenging, rife with difficult choices and loss. We humbly ask for patience as we all attempt to navigate this together.
These guidelines will be updated as new or additional information becomes available. We will continue to strive for the safety of all who attend, and we are working to make a welcoming, friendly, substantive, and exciting gathering for all.
- MASKING: Masks will be required of all those who attend sessions and special
events during the conference. (N95 masks are encouraged.) We will provide a
limited number of extra N95 masks if needed. Attendees may wish to keep
their masks on while speaking in sessions or while socializing. We request
that the mask requirement be honored as a condition of participating in the
conference. • VACCINATION: We respectfully request that conference attendees
arrive at the event having had a full dose of vaccination, with at least one
booster if possible. This request stems from our desire to ensure, as much
as possible, every attendee’s health and well-being.
- TESTING: We recommend testing prior to arrival at the conference, as well as
during if possible, particularly if you feel sick.
- COMMUNITY SPREAD: There have been cases of community spread of COVID-19
resulting from academic conferences, and we would like to do our best to
prevent this from happening at MSA. We ask that if you learn you have tested
positive, or learn of close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
while attending the conference, please self-isolate and contact Erin
Kappeler, Membership and Elections Chair, and Janine Utell, President.
- SOCIAL DISTANCING: In the effort to respect the health and safety of all, we
suggest being mindful of space and social distancing in meeting rooms and
during breaks and meals. A list of bars and restaurants in the conference
vicinity with outdoor accommodations will be made available by the local
organizing committee.
- INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS: If you are traveling internationally to MSA and
have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Christos Hadjiyiannis,
MSA International Chair.
If you have questions about the guidelines, please reach out to Janine Utell, MSA President.