Conference Health Measures

In order to prioritize the health of our PME-NA community as a whole, especially those who are most at risk and vulnerable to serious illness with in-person social gatherings, we are implementing the following actions to make the in-person conference more accessible:

• Masks are strongly recommended in all indoor settings
• Color-coded name badge stickers and room signs will be used to communicate masking needs
• All conference-provided meals can be taken to-go
• The discussion board on the CVent Website (tinyurl.com/NashPMENA) provides a voluntary way for attendees to communicate information regarding exposure or testing status with others

During the conference, if city, county, state, or national policies indicate stronger protections (e.g., required masking due to COVID-19 community level) attendees will be notified and expected to follow that guidance.

Masks

We strongly recommend that attendees wear well-fitting, high-quality face coverings while indoors to help mitigate the spread of respiratory illnesses, such as COVID-19 and the seasonal flu.

We recommend that attendees bring their own masks to have the best fit and comfort during the conference. A limited number of masks will also be freely available for attendees to use in central conference locations.

Communicating Masking Needs – The Sticker System

A color-coded sticker system will be used to assist our community with clearly communicating our needs and requests related to masking. The colors include:

• Red: Please mask when in the same indoor space
• Yellow: Please mask when in close contact
• Green: No needs or preferences related to masking

Individuals will have the option to display their needs with a colored sticker on their name badge.

Each presentation room will also have a visible color indicator, which will indicate the collective needs for the people in the room. Anyone entering the room can switch the color to indicate increased protections. A room with a red sign communicates that people in the room are asked to wear a mask.

This system is in place to provide a consistent and visible way for attendees to communicate their needs and requests without needing to disclose personal health information. We ask that all conference attendees respect and honor the communicated needs of our community, as this is essential to providing an environment where all attendees feel welcome and safe.

Meals

All conference breakfast and lunch meals can be taken as a to-go option instead of eating meals in the ballroom. Breaks with snacks will be located on all three floors of the conference space in common areas (e.g., Starstruck Gallery on the Mezzanine Level and Ballroom Foyer on the Lobby Level). There will also be a reception on Thursday and Saturday nights, with the Saturday reception overlapping with a poster session.

Testing

Regular testing or screening of COVID-19 can help detect infection to minimize exposure to other conference attendees. The conference will not have COVID 19 tests available for attendees; the following pharmacy is 4 blocks from the conference hotel:

• Walgreens: 309C 22nd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203

We expect that anyone with potential exposure, suspected, or confirmed COVID-19 to follow recommendations for testing and isolation, including switching to virtual attendance if necessary. All conference-provided meals can be provided to attendees who are isolating.

To help communicate potential exposure to COVID-19, attendees can share information regarding their exposure or testing results through the linked spreadsheet in the Health and Safety discussion in the CVent Website. This method is voluntary, but provides a central location should attendees want to communicate that information with others attending the conference.

Questions & Concerns

We aim for these policies to reflect a commitment and actions we can take to support community care, which must be inclusive of those among us who experience an elevated level of risk. This recognizes that health is social and community-based, not only an individual decision. We expect that our PME-NA community, and its actions, will strive to honor the values outlined in the updated PME-NA Equity Statement.

Any and all questions, concerns, feedback, or conversation is welcome, and can be directed privately to pmenaloc@gmail.com or publicly at @PmeNA44 on Twitter.