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<font face="Calibri" class="">Dear CALS Faculty,</font>
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<div class=""><font face="Calibri" class="">The ramp up to Phase 3 research activity is now largely complete. As of this morning, CALS faculty/laboratory supervisors have completed 121 checklists, the most of any college. Thank you for moving efficiently
through this process.</font></div>
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<div class=""><font face="Calibri" class="">During the several weeks since we began increasing research activity to Phase 3 levels, local and regional COVID-19 cases have increased dramatically and so thinking/preplanning has begun to anticipate the possibility
of moving to the more restrictive Phase 2 research operations. Phase 2 will not entail another approval process, but will likely entail procedural changes to reduce the risk of virus transmission even more than current checklist procedures. This may include
reducing personnel density in laboratory spaces, and of course we must continue to ensure strict adherence to face covering usage directives and disinfection procedures. The administrative directive on the use of face coverings on campus is available <a href="https://president.arizona.edu/news/2020/06/administrative-directive-use-face-coverings" class="">here</a>.
While this directive does not specifically address research laboratories, face covering are required in all laboratory spaces as well in building common areas. </font></div>
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<div class=""><font face="Calibri" class="">A key criteria for deciding if and when we move to a more restrictive research phase will be the detection of horizontal transmission of COVID-19 among laboratory workers. As of today, horizontal transmission from
individual confirmed on-campus COVID-19 cases has not been detected. While this might indicate that we are rigorously following social distancing and sanitization procedures, this could also merely reflect the relatively low number of confirmed on-campus cases
to date. We must therefore remain extremely vigilant and strictly adhere to COVID-19 mitigation directives and guidelines. </font></div>
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<div class=""><font face="Calibri" class="">With this in mind, I want to emphasize that
<u class="">a strong and broadly supportive culture of compliance is our best protection against horizontal transmission and maximizing the likelihood that research activity will continue.</u> This includes ensuring a supportive environment in which everyone
feels comfortable speaking up if potential unsafe conditions or instances of non-compliance are observed. </font></div>
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<div class=""><font face="Calibri" class=""><u class="">By far the best approach to handling suspected instances of non compliance is direct communication between PIs/laboratory supervisors in the local area.</u> You are responsible for the safety of your laboratory
workers and for ensuring their compliance. Please contact your unit head and me should local communication fail to resolve research related noncompliance issues. I am also always available for direct communications regarding any COVID-19 related safety concerns.
Your building managers are primary sources of information regarding building specific directive and guidelines, and for protocols that ensure safe operations in building common areas.</font></div>
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<div class=""><font face="Calibri" class="">I anticipate receiving more information next week about a potential shift to Phase 2 research activities and will pass on information as I receive it. In the meantime, I encourage you to contact me with any concerns
or thoughts you might have about research operations. </font></div>
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<div class=""><font face="Calibri" class="">Be well and stay safe.</font></div>
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<div class=""><font face="Calibri" class="">Parker</font></div>
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<div><span style="color: rgb(5, 6, 4); font-size: 14px;" class=""><font face="Calibri" class=""><b class="">Parker B. Antin, Ph.D.</b></font></span></div>
<div><font face="Calibri" class=""><font size="2" color="#767676" class="">As</font></font><span style="color: rgb(118, 118, 118); font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;" class="">sociate Vice </span><span style="color: rgb(118, 118, 118); font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;" class="">President
for Research</span></div>
<div><font face="Calibri" class=""><font size="2" color="#767676" class="">Division of Agriculture, Life and Veterinary Sciences, and Cooperative Extension<br class="">
Associate Dean for Research<br class="">
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences<br class="">
Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine</font></font></div>
<div><font face="Calibri" class=""><font size="2" color="#767676" class="">College of Medicine</font></font></div>
<div><font face="Calibri" class=""><font size="2" color="#767676" class="">UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA</font></font></div>
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<div><span style="color: rgb(118, 118, 118); font-size: small; font-family: Calibri;" class="">Forbes Building, Room 314 | 1140 E. South Campus Drive</span></div>
<div><span style="color: rgb(118, 118, 118); font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;" class="">P.O. Box 210036 | Tucson, AZ 85721-0036</span></div>
<div><font face="Calibri" class=""><font size="2" color="#767676" class="">Office: 520--621-5242</font></font></div>
<div><font face="Calibri" class=""><font size="2" color="#767676" class="">Cell: 520-661-6382</font></font></div>
<div><font face="Calibri" class=""><font size="2" color="#767676" class=""><a href="mailto:pba@email.arizona.edu" class="">pba@email.arizona.edu</a></font></font></div>
<div><font face="Calibri" size="2" color="#9e003d" class=""><span style="caret-color: rgb(118, 118, 118);" class=""><a href="http://alvsce.arizona.edu" class="">alvsce.arizona.edu</a></span></font></div>
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