This space is created to compile comments, observations, or concerns on the content and implementation of the COVID Mitigation Protocols Established for Safe JR Operations (COPE) established by the JRSO.

Precruise

Communication

: The pre-depature PCR test dates were confusing for most because of ambiguous e-mail instructions that mostly applied to College Station staff.

: The COPE document covers a lot but is also long.  A short list of instructions for precruise events and expectations would have been helpful.

: An email with specific instructions on what participants should do would have been useful. The COPE document is good and provides nice background info on considerations taken, but a condensed list of what the person traveling needs to do is a good way to ensure people know what to do and increases the chance of participants doing it.

: The summarized version of the protocol, sent out by the lab officer just prior to boarding, was very helpful and should be in our new routine.

Travel

: Travel staff was on top of everything. 

: We (Ops and LO) don’t seem to be getting the travel manifests routinely. Undoubtedly this has been due to all the schedule changes, but it is precisely all the changes that make getting the manifest important.

Hotel

1)  A hotel outside of the city center might be more appropriate. Areas for walks while staying socially distant could help overcome the five days. 2) The food delivery was ok, but the hotel staff was not prepared for the amount of room service frequency. It was rather unclear what additional meals would be available and what the costs are. Thus, at an expensive place like Norway, it was hard to stay on budget. 

: A hotel already setup with room service is certainly ideal, but outside of that this setup worked well. Would have been nice to an idea of pricing, and with food allergies it was a little unclear which was the 'safe' meal.

: I would agree, a hotel setup that is equipped with the ability for room service would be ideal. Being able to have a few choices for meals would be useful. 

: The hotel in Kristiansand did an adequate job for 384, but they would’ve been completely overwhelmed if the full JRSO and Siem ongoing staffs had arrived at the same time, as is often the case. Our new protocol may have to be done in staggered waves or across multiple hotels.

Testing

: Many staff got tested on July 1st,  2 weeks before planned departure.  Recommend e-mailing a window of time to get tested.  Maybe up to 5 days before departure, although the few US states with travel quarantine waivers seem to be no more then 72 hours before departure. Not sure if personnel contingencies exist if staff can't make it to ship if test positive.  Also the billing for the test should be done through insurance, and reimbursed by IODP, if not covered.

: I suggest that HR is requesting the availability from the traveler and makes the appointments for all. It was hard to get a slot. Integrity Care did a good job once a person that knew about the special arrangement with IODP was found. It would be good to give the test result as additional paperwork to the person traveling. 

: As expedition planning allows, would be nice to have a longer lead time on when to get tested, and a time window to complete testing.

: I did not understand doing the test prior to travel ~2 weeks before flying at first, but later realized it allows time to make personnel adjustments if someone tests positive. The in-hotel testing was quick and convenient. As much as I disliked being stuck in a hotel room for 5 days I’ll have to say it was effective.

Shipboard Protocol

Mask Use

:  Crew and staff were generally diligent about wearing them in places on the ship where social distancing was not possible.  I haven't herd any major issues, above nuisance, with wearing them while working.  Dan Marone 3D printed mask "ear savers" for additional options with standard surgical masks.

: I recommend all participants to bring at least two washable face coverings in the event supplies become low.

: Seemed to work well. I like the idea of asking participants to bring some washable face masks.

: No major issues. I would suggest bringing multiple washable masks. The ear savers really do help. I would suggest printing some before expeditions or at the start for people.

Meals/Mess Hall

: Meal times among shift members may have to be spread out across multiple blocks if coring.  We did not have any issues on 384 since coring was very limited.

: Cookie breaks were limited to "grab and go". IT might be better to implement a coffee break station for IODP/Scientists in the conference room or coffee area on the bridge deck. This way not everybody has to stick their head into the galley and request their food which seems counterproductive.

: Could be challenging having technical staff all eat at the same time while coring. If there will be a coring during the first two weeks, staff may need to spread out eating blocks.

.: Recommend participants have a water bottle to fill at the drinking fountains so people do not use the fountain to drink from.

Gym

: A stationary bike was moved into the Lounge and the IODP movie room was accessible for workouts. A sign-up sheet was created for 1/2hr slots for a maximum of 2 people in the gym. The distribution between SIEM  and IODP worked well. Maybe a limit of 3 out of 7 days in a row occupying the same slot needs to be implemented to give everybody a chance to use the facility. Due to the limited staff and a crew with a small amount of gym goes, this worked. I can see problems evolving very fast, especially if scientists get thrown into the mix.

: No issues with the gym. Having one of the bikes moved over was very helpful. Also, keeping the movie room open for video workouts.

Housekeeping

: Not having Entier clean room and change linens was no problem for me.  Catering provided linens one week in a plastic bag exchange, and towels can be washed with regular laundry.  Seems like a very simple way to help keep people from unneeded exposure. Sandra: Agree. Mackenzie Schoemann: I agree too.

: Worked great not having Entier clean the cabins and drop off linens once a week. Minor adjustment with big impacts on potential exposure.

: I feel the not having Entier enter the JRSO rooms for the first two weeks, as was done on 384,  should be adopted across the board for the whole ship. Simply dropping off clean linens in a bag at the door once a week, and returning the dirty linens in the same bag was simple and low risk.

Other observations

: The COPE document brings up the idea of cohort groups that staff sticks to during those first two weeks. Was not implemented on X384 with staff changing shifts for cross-training and group crossovers at 00:00 and 12:00. I think it is a good idea to reduce potential exposure but would need expedition objectives to match. If cohort groups will continue to not be implemented then we should take it out of the document.

: I agree with the comment above regarding cohort groups. We did not travel to the ship in independent JRSO cohort groups. The cohort concept breaks down often onboard, in freight loading/offloading, working in lab areas, and especially during daily crossovers. Our policy of wearing masks in public spaces is the effective deterrent. However, dividing us into small, independent groups for meals is wise, as masks are not worn when eating.

: Return to port and tie-up considerations.  Recommend JRSO and Siem discuss application of the COPE protocols during tie-up periods and make practical adjustments.

: I think if the ship returns to port after 2 weeks at sea, the protocols can still be relaxed, as long as any interactions with outside folks are done with strict mask and hygiene protocols and are kept off the ship.  Compliance the 2nd time around was more like 80%.