Human Research During COVID-19

Study teams are responsible for adhering to the policies of the nation, state, county, city and organization (i.e., Department, unit, Michigan Medicine) in which the research is occurring. When policies of the local setting in which the research is being conducted are inconsistent with the policies outlined in the University of Michigan COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan, the policy that provides the greatest COVID risk mitigation is the one that must be applied. Michigan Medicine teams must adhere to all of the most up-to-date policies of Michigan Medicine (i.e,. Masking requirements).

Any use of ResponsiBLUE daily health screening survey for screening research participants or those accompanying them should be modified to clarify that the instructions for positive responses do not apply to individuals not affiliated with U-M. Instead, these individuals should be encouraged to seek guidance from their health care provider.

FAQs

1) Are study participants that are fully vaccinated required to wear a face-covering when interacting with university researchers?
Study teams are responsible for adhering to the policies of the nation, state, county, city, and organization (i.e., Department, unit, Michigan Medicine) in which the research is occurring. Guidance regarding face coverings on the U-M campus can be found here. If the study interaction does not take place on U-M property, then local guidance for mask requirements should be followed accordingly for participants.

2) What if the study participant does not want to disclose whether they are vaccinated?
Individuals who choose not to disclose their vaccination status must follow the local guidance for unvaccinated individuals.

3) Do I have to request proof of vaccination status?
No. Researchers cannot ask participants for proof of vaccination.

4) Why are masks optional – not required – in research labs?
Research laboratories are low density and highly ventilated, and therefore do not provide a higher level of risk than other indoor spaces across U-M that became mask optional on March 14, 2022. Instructional courses that are taught in a laboratory (such as an introductory chemistry course) will follow university guidance for classrooms and instructional spaces.

For questions, please contact human-research-[email protected]

For more information about the updated face covering policy, along with a series of related FAQs, please refer to the Campus Blueprint website