With the global COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian public health authorities have strongly recommended that everyone (especially individuals at high risk or in contact with individuals at high risk) avoid visiting certain businesses and workplaces, and take additional precautions including those outlined in this letter. Please read the following statements carefully and feel free to ask questions if anything seems unclear.
The location for this research is the University of Waterloo campus, under the jurisdiction of Public Health Ontario. We are putting in place safety precautions to reduce exposure to COVID-19, but the risk of exposure can still exist. We ask that you follow public health directives, as well, for the safety both of participants and researchers.
COVID-19 can result in severe illness, medical expenses, loss of income and death. If you are feeling unwell or experiencing any potential COVID-19 symptoms, then please stay home and notify a member of the research team that you cannot attend. Examples of potential COVID-19 symptoms are noted at the end of this document.
Because you are coming onto campus, and the researcher may need to be closer to you than the recommend 2m distance, the following safety protocols must be followed:
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Before your study visit a member of the research team will remind you to answer questions for a required COVID-19 screening assessment.
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On the day of your visit, a researcher will conduct the screening again at the building entrance, before escorting you to the study location.
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Please wash or sanitize your hands upon arrival. Hand sanitizer will be provided.
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Please wear a mask or face covering when you arrive at the campus and meet the researcher. A new mask will be provided for you to wear before entering the study space.
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Avoid touching the face with unwashed hands.
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Avoid physical contact with other individuals to the extent possible.
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Advise a researcher if you believe a safety measure is not being taken, or that safety is at risk.
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If taking public transit for this visit, please follow all guidelines from the transit service and public health, such as face masking/covering and hand sanitizing.
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Consider using the washroom before leaving home. Notify the researcher of any washroom needs; washroom capacity is limited to allow physical distancing.
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Provide your personal contact information for contact-tracing purposes.
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Attend the study visit alone, or if needed, bring only one support person/parent. The support person must also follow the protocols outlined above.
We will be collecting personal contact information that we must retain and will use only to follow up with you or support contact tracing if you (or your support person) may have been exposed to COVID-19 at the research site. Contact information will be stored securely and separately from research data, then destroyed as soon as permitted by public health.
To reduce the possibility of COVID-19 exposure, especially if study procedures cannot maintain 2-metre distancing, we have implemented the following safety procedures recommended by our Safety Office and public health:
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regular handwashing and use of gloves by all research team members,
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availability and use of hand sanitizer for study participants and researchers,
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sanitizing of high-touch surfaces and shared equipment,
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increased cleaning of washrooms and other shared spaces,
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scheduling and limits to reduce occupancy in buildings and laboratories,
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floor markings and signage to encourage physical distancing in shared spaces,
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wearing of face masks/face coverings, and
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where necessary, use of face shields, lab coats, goggles, and plexiglass barriers.
Please do everything you can to follow these health-related procedures and directives, to protect yourself and others. A new face mask will be provided for you by the researcher.
If you feel that you are unable to wear a mask or you are from a vulnerable group with respect to COVID-19 (e.g., an older adult; underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, cancer, etc.; or a compromised immune system), please discuss your participation with the research team before consenting. You are under no obligation to participate and nothing will happen if you change your mind about participating in the research.
You are invited to attend in-person research study visit(s) on a voluntary basis. At any time, you can stop participating or withdraw from the study by notifying the researcher. As noted above, your information will be held for the time required by public health authorities for contact tracing purposes.
Please submit your name and the date to acknowledge and to accept the information outlined above about risks of COVID-19 exposure and the related safety measures in place, and are willing to come to campus for in-person research study visit(s). By submitting this form, you confirm that you have read the information above and had an opportunity to ask questions; you are not waiving your rights or releasing the investigator(s) or involved institution(s) from their legal and professional responsibilities.