{"id":24417,"date":"2020-07-02T14:59:38","date_gmt":"2020-07-02T18:59:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/research\/?p=24417"},"modified":"2021-08-10T14:03:37","modified_gmt":"2021-08-10T18:03:37","slug":"24417","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/research\/2020\/07\/02\/24417\/","title":{"rendered":"Back2BU Research: Human subjects & symptom screening"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Researcher<\/p>\n

Research Community Steps Up\u00a0for Coordinated Recovery Effort<\/h2>\n

Researchers return to campus in phases,\u00a0at reduced density<\/h3>\n

The gradual reintroduction of on-campus research continues, with 315\u00a0research groups approved to return to campus and faculty principal\u00a0investigators (PIs) submitting recovery plans on a rolling basis. Faculty PIs should refer to guidance from the Office of Research for activating research labs and centers, if they haven\u2019t done so already.<\/p>\n

Access to campus remains limited and coordinated, with research groups working in shifts at reduced density as outlined in approved recovery plans and\u00a0all meetings and as much work as possible conducted virtually. Returning researchers are taking proactive steps to minimize infection risk through required daily health screenings, physical distancing, use of face coverings, routine disinfection of research and lab spaces, and working with building coordinators to manage shared spaces.<\/p>\nLearn More<\/a>\n

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Human Subjects<\/h2>\n

Updated guidelines for resuming human subjects work<\/h3>\n

With\u00a0updated\u00a0guidelines in place, the Office of Research is beginning to approve recovery plans for on-campus human subjects research.\u00a0The University will focus first on essential research with human subjects that can be done under physical distancing guidelines. Some studies involving brief interactions between researcher and subject within six feet, using appropriate personal protective equipment, may be approved at this stage.<\/span><\/p>\nView Guidelines<\/a>\n

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Screening & Testing<\/h2>\n

Daily symptom screen required for all returning researchers<\/h3>\n

Anyone currently working on campus is required to complete a symptom tracker survey emailed each morning\u00a0before<\/em>\u00a0arriving on campus each day. This is an essential component of the current screening process, and research personnel who do not fill it out consistently risk losing their group’s approval status. If you believe you are approved for on-campus research but are not currently receiving the survey, please reach out to your faculty PI.<\/p>\n

Faculty looking to make additions to their groups’ on-campus rosters must secure approval following a formal revision<\/a>\u00a0process. Questions? Email the Office of Research<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Student
Returning to campus amid the COVID-19 pandemic requires daily reporting of symptoms\/no symptoms for all students, faculty, and staff. Photo by Jackie Ricciardi<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Community Testing<\/h4>\n

The University also considers in-house COVID-19 testing an essential public health step\u2014and is developing a plan to test students, faculty, and staff beginning in August.\u00a0The samples will be tested at a lab set up inside the Kilachand Center for Integrated Life Sciences & Engineering.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nRead Story<\/a>\n

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FAQ: COVID-19 in the Lab<\/h2>\n

What happens\u00a0if someone in the lab is experiencing symptoms, tests positive, or comes in\u00a0close contact with someone who’s tested positive?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The person feeling sick should stay home and contact:<\/p>\n