Lessons Learned from In-Person Conferences in the Times of COVID-19

Maryam Ehteshami, Carlos León Edgar, Lucia Yunuen Delgado Ayala, Michael Hagan, Greg S. Martin, Wilbur Lam and Raymond F. Schinazi ()
Additional contact information
Maryam Ehteshami: Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, 1760 Haygood Drive, Room E418, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
Carlos León Edgar: WeCare Clinic, Carr. Transpeninsular Km 24.5 Consultorios H+ Koral Center, Cerro Colorado, San José del Cabo 23406, Mexico
Lucia Yunuen Delgado Ayala: WeCare Clinic, Carr. Transpeninsular Km 24.5 Consultorios H+ Koral Center, Cerro Colorado, San José del Cabo 23406, Mexico
Michael Hagan: Informed Horizons Education, 1860 Montreal Road, Tucker, GA 30084, USA
Greg S. Martin: School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
Wilbur Lam: School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
Raymond F. Schinazi: Center for ViroScience and Cure, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, 1760 Haygood Drive, Room E418, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 20, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Scientific societies and conference secretariats have recently resumed in-person meetings after a long pause owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some safety measures continue to be implemented at these in-person events to limit the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). With increased numbers of waves of infection, caused by the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, additional information is needed to ensure maximal safety at in-person events. The MEX-DART case study was conducted at the in-person Hep-DART 2021 conference, which was held in Los Cabos, Mexico, in December 2021. Many COVID-19 safety measures were implemented, and incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the conference was tested onsite. In this study, we highlight the specific conditions and safety measures set in place at the conference. In addition to vaccination requirements, social distancing, and mask wearing, daily rapid testing was implemented for the duration of the conference. At the end of the 4-day meeting, none of the 166 delegates (and family members attending the conference) had tested antigen positive for SARS-CoV-2. Two delegates tested positive in the week after the conference; the timing of their positive test result suggests that they contracted the virus during their travels home or during postconference vacationing. We believe that this model can serve as a helpful template for organizing future in-person meetings in the era of COVID-19 and any other respiratory virus pandemics of the future. While the outcomes of this case study are encouraging, seasonal surges in respiratory virus infections such as SARS-CoV-2, RSV, and influenza virus incidence suggest that continued caution is warranted.

Keywords: COVID-19; scientific meeting; in-person conferences; rapid antigen testing; risk mitigation; Hep-DART (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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