Loomio
Wed 23 Mar 2022 10:18PM

Virusland: Dealing with the 'rona

EH Emily H Public Seen by 49

******** CLOSING THREAD ************ update and summary:

Generally all commentators agreed with the proposal - LFT 2x ahead of event, extra LFT on site (as many as people can bring) in case anyone forgets but people should really test ahead.

Positive test -> do not attend, if already present then leave ASAP and test those in closest vicinity + inform all. Hopefully this will not happen due to diligent testing ahead of time!

Refunds - some to and fro on this. Our budget is fairly tight and no refunds was specified, and prior to covid, if we got ill before an event - we couldn't go and that was just the (very unfortunate) norm! This is also in line with (current) scottish guidelines which do require isolation legally, unlike england. this could change before the event begins but the event is v soon and we need to plan.

Unfortunately, covid is still a major issue. Last time we discussed this topic was back in Jan, when we optimistically hoped things would be pretty quiet in April - seems this is not the case! We briefly discussed this in the meeting today (23.03). An advice process is needed to get opinions from the wider community. There are a few things to consider:

1. Before the event 2. During the event

Proposal:

Summary: everyone tests before the event, if you’re positive don’t come, hopefully that means no cases on site, if there are cases on site then isolate and/or leave asap

1. Before the event

Test before you travel: All members test twice before travel – on the day before travel and the day of travel. There is no way to check this that I am aware of so an honour system will likely be necessary. This would require action at the entrance - confirming testing took place and providing a test if not (see below)

Don’t come if positive: Anyone with a positive test (symptomatic or asymptomatic) does not attend. If this is your situation and you cannot pass on your membership: the budget / terms of purchase never included refunds so this is technically not an option. That said - covid is quite unavoidable at the moment. So, the option of refunds for anyone testing positive a very short time before the event could be explored. These could be up to c. 8 people are guaranteed a refund based on emailing a positive LF test to us. If the outbreaks are more numerous.. No dice, that's about as best we can do with the budget until after the event and the dust settles. 

What if someone forgot to test pre arrival: Forgot, can’t access tests, or don’t read emails? Test upon entry. We should work on provision of extra tests to have at gate if going with this plan, but this is plan B, people should test at home.

2. During the event

First strategy is prevention: Hopefully pre-event testing prevents any cases, and we are quite a small event anyway so our chances are good. But we can’t rule out that someone develops symptoms and has a positive test mid-event. What to do in this case?

Quarantine / assist as needed: There are plans in the works to have tests in stock on site to know who is ill. But then what? Having only recently recovered, I know I really quickly got too sick to function and would not have been able to travel. We may need to make a quick decision at the time about spaces needed to isolate ill or help travel home… but perhaps this decision is made in the moment based on circumstances, I’m not sure we can fully plan it. 

Thoughts? Alternative ideas? Please share your opinions so we can come to a community-led decision. We need to decide with good time ahead of the event so people can stock up on tests / the need to test is communicated. Decision deadline 30th March!

K

Katie Wed 23 Mar 2022 10:20PM

Agree with suggestions, strongly suggest people order LFTs before they are no longer free at the end of March.

A

Allan Thu 24 Mar 2022 7:42AM

As some will be coming from England they may be unaware of Covid rules in Scotland. The current situation (which MAY change before the event) is set out in this BBC article:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-53166816

More detail is available from: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/test-and-protect/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-infection or: https://www.gov.scot/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance/ should you need it.

Basically you still need to wear a face mask on public transport and shops here and if you test positive for Covid in Scotland you're required to self-isolate (allowed to exit self-isolation after seven days if they have no fever and record two negative lateral flow tests).

These rules apply in Scotland, even if you usually live in England.

A

Allan Thu 24 Mar 2022 7:52AM

Agree prevention is the best strategy, take a test before coming: if it's positive don't come. Beyond that - at the burn - I'd say it's a case of play it by ear. If someone gets sick then it's up to them to take appropriate action (which we may be able to help with) but I don't think we can make any specific policy as it'll depend on individuals condition.

R

Radiant Thu 24 Mar 2022 10:20AM

Since some people travel quite far to get to this place, I suggest that requiring a test at home is good, because anyone who tests positive can stay home. Requiring a test at the entrance is problematic, because anyone who tests positive is basically stuck there with no place to go. This is also the protocol we used at last year's German burn. (that said, if people don't read e-mails and did not test at home, that's their own problem)

Hopefully this strategy will keep the event uninfected. That said, realistically if anyone gets symptoms during the event, they should test; and if positive, that means they should leave ASAP (as you can't effectively isolate at a burn), AND everybody else at the event needs to be informed so they can make their own decision. I realize that sounds harsh, but being secretive about it is not helpful.

EH

Emily H Thu 24 Mar 2022 11:21AM

definitely agree - and did not mean to suggest secretive actions, people defs need to be informed!

SL

Sam Lee Sun 27 Mar 2022 11:07AM

It's so tricky when the gov says that you don't need to isolate but the guidance is still that you should.... Do we know if/ when Scot gov will make changes?

In normal life when you're sick and cant make an event then you dont get a refund. Seems different if you are symptomless/ feel fine?

The compasionate thing seems to be to offer refund if you get a posotive result within a week before the event, or is this just a tough luck kinda deal, shouldn't have gone out to that night club the weekend before?

EH

Emily H Tue 29 Mar 2022 4:08PM

ye i agree that this is really tricky. the guidance is so awkward with the "you should isolate but legally aren't required to" that is now in place in england. situation is being reviewed very soon - but also likely only very shortly before the event - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-53166816 - altho seems that isolation until test is negative may remain a thing.

as for the refund thing... i am v to and fro on this as well as in the past we've all missed events due to the flu etc and would never previously have expected a refund! i think the compassion comes in where considering a) that a good number of people are asymptomatic / light symptoms with which they previously likely would have still attended similiar events and b) a lot of people catch it at work and have no practical choice in the matter. but still tricky. i can see it both ways.