Like so many of our fellow researchers, the A2J Lab has been monitoring the COVID-19 situation as it evolves. We have taken the following steps to protect study participants, our study partners, and our staff:
- Field operations: We have required that our field partners cease any face-to-face interaction that occurs only because of our studies. With respect to some studies, particularly those that require “wet” signatures on authorization and consent forms, the result has been a suspension of operations. For others, launch has been be delayed. For others, there has been no change, either because they never involved face-to-face interaction, or because the face-to-face interaction that occurs happens regardless of any study and continues under the policy of service providers, or because interactions have shifted to electronic and mail communication.
- Staff: In congruence with Harvard Law School standards, we have transitioned to a work-from-home policy.
We will continue to work with our collaborating institutions under the guidance of the Harvard University Committee on the Use of Human Subjects in order to ensure that we are doing everything we can to put safety first during this difficult time.