Ontario has approved deployment of non-accredited, skilled staff to assist with #COVID-19 testing in accredited labs.
@COVID_19_Canada can get staff (3000+ members in Ontario) to centres in <1 wk from time of request.
See thread
We are developing a rapid response template for #Ontario testing lab staff requests, so that labs can submit simple requests to receive list of candidates in their region.
#COVID-19 testing labs in other provinces, if your province has recently approved the use of non-accredited lab staff to assist w/ COVID-19 testing in accredited labs, please tell us, and let your colleagues know that @COVID_19_Canada has 5000+ scientist members who can help.
For those interested in helping w/ #Ontario#COVID-19 testing, here are core skills that are needed:
--min M.Sc., 3 years wet lab experience
--current BSL2 training, experience working w/ human or infectious samples
--ability to learn new techniques quickly
--meticulous attention to detail & record-keeping
--accurate pipetting (especially multi-channel)
--RT-PCR (reverse transcription + real-time)
--very strong ability to work in groups, switch tasks quickly
Helpful experience:
--diagnostic lab setting (research or clinical)
--handling large sample sets
--automated sample handling platforms
--patient data privacy training/experience
Other:
ability to walk, bike or drive to local testing labs
For summary info about volunteer scientists who have signed up to help w/ #COVID-19 response (many who many be interested in work contracts), see here:
Please DON'T contact testing labs directly. They are absolutely overwhelmed. If you want to help out w/ testing & have appropriate skills, please sign up below.
We don't know yet whether labs will needs FT staff, volunteers etc. Expect some chaos.
#Canadian PIs, we may need help w/ rapid reference checking for candidate #COVID-19 testing lab staff originating in academia. If you can help w/ this, please sign up to volunteer at the link above. We may require help evenings/weekends.
4. When we receive a request, we work w/ the requesting org to identify their requirements (e.g. RT-PCR, liquid handling platforms, bioinformatics skills, health data)
5. We identify candidates in our database living in the appropriate region who fit these needs, and set up additional automated screening form if needed for skills not listed in our database.
6. We contact all candidates who meet these criteria, ask them to indicate if they're interested (opt-in), and ask them to provide any additional required info + CV
7. We send the final list of candidates + CVs to org requesting volunteers/staff
8. In an emergency & if the org needs it, we may ask academic personnel (i.e. PIs) to help vet candidates by contacting references, but so far every org has opted to have HR folk do this. We try not to do this unless it's truly urgent so we don't slow down our core activities.
9. Again, if anyone out there knows if non-accredited research/lab folk have been approved to assist w/ #COVID-19 testing in accredited testing labs in regions in addition to #Ontario, please let us know so that @COVID_19_Canada can reach these centres & get candidates signed up.
If you know an org/initiative/group that needs volunteers to help w/ #COVID-19 2nd wave responses (scientific & non-scientific), please request volunteers here: covid19resources.ca/requestvolunte…
The protective measures we use against COVID (N95-type masks, handwashing, surface cleaning) will work well against MPOX of any clade, regardless of transmission mode.
If you or a household member develop MPOX (Clade II only so far in Canada), seek medical care (while wearing a mask). If it's MPOX, you and contacts, including household members, will be vaccinated.
Based on what we know about Clade I, vaccination will provide excellent protection. It should for Clade II, but we don't have enough data yet to be sure.
I'm going to link out to posts from @KrutikaKuppalli , who has been providing outstanding real-time, nuanced summaries of emerging MPOX evidence.
I won't repeat some of what she's already posted, or will repeat if I'm guessing some folks might appreciate clarification.
-FYI- When you see the Forecast thread posted, that also means that this thread is now available on the C-19 website, pages 6 - 9, for easier reading.
SCENARIO BASICS
It’s the Summer Olympics!
I love the Olympics.
Heart-warming stories, riveting competitions, seeing all the varieties of sports, being able to witness the best of physical prowess side by side with their vulnerabilities. Seeing people on the world stage with their strengths, joys, disappointments, grit, and humanity.
At the Calgary Stampede, two traditions are going strong
– Pancake Breakfasts and Big Barbecue Lunches.
But … how risky is it to go?
You have to start the day with pancakes, of course.
That means lining up, allotting about a half hour to move up, tantalising aromas of the cooking food entertaining you, till you get to have your own plate full.
After a successful venture obtaining delicious food, could be pancakes or a pile of barbecued ribs, burgers and sides, our second scenario looks at sitting down and enjoying it.