W e asked Gabriel Rebick, MD, CM, an Internal Medicine Physician and Infectious Disease Specialist at Cleveland Clinic Canada, to shed some light on the latest knowledge around pandemic management. What is the current thinking about the course of the pandemic into the fall and winter? Transmission of the Omicron BA.5 variant remains robust in many parts of the world. Due to the “immunity wall,” where most people have had either vaccination or recent infection with other Omicron variants of COVID-19 (or both), hospitalization and death rates remain low in many jurisdictions. Scientists are currently tracking other potential variants which are emerging. It’s diffi cult to predict how a new variant would behave, but most believe, even with new variants, disease severity will remain mild compared to earlier waves. Vaccine companies are currently developing a new booster specifi c to circulating Omicron strains which may further reduce the risk of severe infection outcomes (severe illness, hospitalization or death). How can corporate travel and event planners keep travellers and attendees safe? There are several ways to reduce risk in the setting of an in-person conference: • Encourage people who are feeling ill to attend virtually instead of in person. • Wherever possible, improve ventilation systems, increase air fi ltration and decrease crowding in small, poorly ventilated areas. (See more on indoor air quality, page 44.) • Offer and encourage masks to further increase overall safety and help to ensure all attendees are comfortable, depending on their perceived individual risk level. Many people are “over” the pandemic: how do you recommend planners address resistance to mitigation measures? Pre-conference informational communications regarding planned mitigation measures, including specifi cs about any local public health measures in effect, can help to ensure all those attending are aware of expectations for con- ference attendees, and may be a signifi cant draw for attendees with lower COVID-19 risk toler- ance. Identifying and explaining any planned deviations from local public health policies in advance (e.g., with regard to masking), may be helpful to limit frustration related to mitigation measures. What should planners ask of their venues in terms of infection mitigation? Understanding local public health policies around masking and physical distancing will help planners ensure they can set expectations for attendees. While less common than earlier in the pandemic, if local room capacity limits or physical distancing requirements exist, planners will need to carefully design their programs to ensure their capacity is large enough to accommodate the expected audience. Planners can also inquire about optimizing the venue’s air circulation (increased fresh air ventilation rates, improved fi ltration in the HVAC system and addition of HEPA fi ltration systems). What factors should planners consider in planning face-to-face meetings and events and assessing risk? Unfortunately, local transmission rates often cannot be reliably predicted when a conference is in the planning stages. Planners should carefully consider their planned mitigation strategies, including mask wearing, room layouts and capacities, and attendee fl ow. Planners should also contem- plate how high local infection rates might affect attendance, a need for a virtual attendance option and overall conference execution with safety in mind. Planning for the worst will help to ensure success of the conference in the face of different local infection levels. clevelandclinic.org Q&A In the Know A medical doctor shares his thoughts on what’s to come in pandemic management and what it means for business meetings and events. In the Know GABRIEL REBICK, MD, CM Most believe, even with new variants, disease severity will remain mild compared to earlier waves. Fall 2022 | Ignitemag.ca | 33
