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tags: pims, COVID-19
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# Message for PIMS Board re: COVID-19

Dear Members and Observers of the PIMS Board,

I hope that you are all safely isolated with your families as we collectively confront this pandemic. My sister Donna (near Seattle) was tested for COVID-19 yesterday and should know her results in a couple of days. I am worried about her but she is strong. Her situation makes this feel personal and exceptional to me but it's not. In a few weeks, it is likely that all of our personal networks will be impacted.

While this is not a business-as-usual-only-virtual moment, I write to share an update on the PIMS operation. PIMS has taken proactive steps to minimize transmission of the infection. The PIMS Central Team is teleworking from home. We have cancelled or postponed events scheduled in the coming weeks. We are collaborating with organizers on decisions to cancel, postpone or virtualize future events. Beyond the COVID-19 response, we are focused on structural improvements to PIMS by convening some important committees, addressing transparency and the normalization of site fees, and using this momentum to prepare for the NSERC renewal.

The PIMS Team is exploring plans to arrange for our May 1 Board meeting to be held virtually as it is unlikely that we will be able to assemble together in Calgary as had been planned. Updates on the Board meeting will be shared over the coming weeks.

I wish for you all to continue to thrive in good health. I thank you for your service to PIMS.

Best regards,
J. Colliander

# DRAFT COVID-19 Response

With the hope of flattening the curve in regards to the spread of COVID-19, we are taking a proactive approach in the interest of community safety. As such, all PIMS sponsored and supported event are to be cancelled, effective immediately, until further notice.

We will continue to communicate with the PIMS community and will advise once social distancing restrictions are no longer in place or required in response to the spread of COVID-19.

If you have any questions, please contact X

___
perhaps adding something about PIMS mandate:

We are all faced with the challenge of navigating through the current Covid-19 issue (not sure you want to use "pandemic") and PIMS would like to ensure the safety and well being of our community members across Western Canada, nationally and Internationally. While PIMS is committed to our mandate of promoting research, training and collaboration in the mathematical sciences, we would like our community to uphold any directives issued by their universities, provincial health authorities and Health Canada.

PIMS is taking active measures in the insterest of our staff and we would like to continually support our community. Staff at PIMS Central are now equipped to work remotely while still keeping our "usual" office hours. The [Province of British Columbia](https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0086-000499) has issued a directive to temporarily cancel gatherings of over 50 people until further notice. These decisions will impact our operations and events, and hopefully we will be prepared as best as we can.

Earlier in the month, we connected with our event organizers and venues, to determine an appropriate schedule for event cancellations, and possible actions to defer events. We are working with the digital collaboration committee on virtualization strategies for our meetings; these include seminars and at this point, the board meeting.

We will continue to communicate with the PIMS Community and relay adjustments based on available information, in a timely manner. Should you have any questions, concerns on how best we can continue to serve our community, please do not hesitate to get in touch with ...(Denise?)