The document, authored by the JASON group in July 2020, presents a comprehensive assessment of how universities and research institutions can safely resume on-site activities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on epidemiological modeling, operational policy analysis, extensive scientific literature, and historical precedent, the report outlines a suite of evidence-based recommendations aimed at minimizing viral transmission and safeguarding both campus and surrounding community health.
Key strategies identified include the implementation of layered non-pharmaceutical interventions—universal mask usage with attention to mask quality and fit, physical distancing, reducing room occupancy, enhanced ventilation (with a target of at least four air changes per hour), and behavioral modifications such as minimizing speech and loud talking. Special emphasis is placed on the proper selection and use of masks, consideration of eye protection, and recognition that physical space measures alone are insufficient to control aerosol spread. Staggered work shifts, stable research pods, and the formation of small, consistent working groups (pods) are advocated to minimize broader interactions and localize potential exposures.
Operational recommendations are augmented by calls for robust daily symptom screening, the adoption of widespread, rapid, and responsive contact tracing, and transparent institutional communication—supported by dashboards for real-time tracking of compliance, testing results, and infection rates. Regular review of testing modalities (PCR, antigen, antibody) is encouraged, with attention to accuracy limitations, especially in asymptomatic populations, and the potential utility of pooled testing strategies. The report also evaluates frameworks for balancing research productivity against health risks, advocating for continuous risk assessment and flexible resource allocation.
Recognizing the interconnectedness of university campuses with their local contexts, the document stresses the necessity of close and ongoing collaboration with public health authorities, and maintaining readiness to rapidly adjust policies in response to changing transmission dynamics. Lessons from prior pandemics, most notably the 1918 influenza, reinforce the urgency of early, decisive, and sustained intervention, as well as the dangers of prematurely easing restrictions. A major theme throughout is the need for enduring operational discipline, adaptability, and a data-driven, community-focused approach to pandemic management.
Ultimately, the report concludes that with a combination of science-based planning, vigilant implementation, and the flexibility to revise protocols as new data emerge, universities can safely ramp up research operations, mitigate the risks of COVID-19, and maintain their broader societal functions during the pandemic.
