Precise Touring

 

 

 

**COVID-19 UPDATE**

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I have specialist knowledge in Microbiology having worked in several microbiological research laboratories as a research scientist working with infectious diseases.  I have combined this knowledge, along with my extensive tour & production expertise to explore new protocols for use by artists, crew, venues, promoters, event organisers and others working in the live sector to limit the exposure and transmission of Sars-Cov-2 (and other infectious microbes) once we are able to restart concerts and touring.

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For more information on my previous career, please scroll down or click here

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**Apr 2021** - COVID Consultancy update

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I have recently completed the First Option Advanced Certificate COVID Supervisor & Compliance Officer and have been working on several productions as a COVID Coordinator & Supervisor. I manage all aspects of these roles including protocols, PPE & testing, logistics, legislation and also offer in-depth knowledge of the science involved as a previous research scientist in microbial infectious diseases.  

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**1st Dec 2020** - Vaccine update

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The initial results from the three vaccines (Pfizer / Moderna / Oxford University) are extremely encouraging.  All three have a high standard of efficacy in experimental data so far.  This is the first time this year that I have felt optimistic that we may return to our normal lives and careers in 2021.  It still is early days though.  We are still waiting on approval for each vaccine.  They will all require licensing for each territory they will be used in.  Only then  will the vaccines be distributed to the population.  This will take time as there are only a set amount available at present.  The first vaccine that will file for Emergency Use Authorisation is the Moderna vaccine, of which the UK has secured enough doses to treat 3.5 million.  The UK population is 67 million.  Once other vaccines are approved (or more doses secured) these need to be disseminated to the population.  The usual requirements for herd immunity is approx 70% of the population.  Sadly due to misinformation and fear, not all people will immediately get vaccinated.  

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Personally, I believe that summer will be the earliest that we will be able to return to some semblance of normality and this could roll into autumn if there are any issues with vaccine approval, supply, distribution and implementation.  But there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel.

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SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 

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COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the recently emerged novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.  It has become the most prominent current global health concern.  SARS-CoV-2 is a highly contagious virus which can result in a severe infectious disease of which there is currently no cure or vaccination.  The virus is highly transmissible between humans, both by contact and aerosol transmission, further complicated by potential asymptomatic transmission.

We are in an unprecedented situation in our lifetime with lockdowns, social distancing and quarantine now part of daily life.  This has severely impacted the global live event industry.  As we slowly revert to ‘normal’ life or a ‘new normal’ we need to intensely think how we can restart the industry and devise plans to limit exposure and transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

 

I believe that we are not quite in a position to know when we can start staging live events.  I personally think we need to wait for a few more months when we will have far greater knowledge of the future impact of SARS-CoV-2. We should wait until we have a greater insight on the following, which I will keep closely following and updating on twitter @precisetouring

 

            - Timing – Do we wait until the virus is fully eradicated or when reproduction is almost zero?

 

            - Second wave – Will there be a second wave of the virus due to seasonal change?

 

            - Vaccination – Will there be an effective vaccine and when will this be available?

 

            - Prophylaxis – Can any medication prevent transmission of the virus?

 

            - Treatment – Will there be any effective treatment for the disease?

 

            - Immunity – Do you get a level of immunity if you have previously contracted the virus?

 

            - Testing – Which tests are widely available?  Will a test be released that is accurate from the               moment of infection so no false negatives.  Is there a reliable antibody test which indicates                 if you have been exposed to the disease?  Will there be an accurate rapid result test that                  can be used outside of a laboratory?

     

            - Contact tracing – Is there an effective track & trace app in place to detect cases?

 

When we have an indication on several of the above, we will be able to formulate specific plans and timelines to restart events.  We will need to focus on prevention and limiting the exposure and transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

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My previous career:

I have a BSc in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Bath University and I specialised in Microbiology.  I have worked as a research scientist in several renowned laboratories including the Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital Virology laboratory and The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.  My field of speciality was developing diagnostic tests for infectious diseases in the third world.  I developed a new test for Syphilis, using bloodspot technology that increased accuracy and reduced cost.  Details of this new test were published in a peer reviewed scientific journal.  During this time, I also worked on several other projects involving infectious diseases.

 

Coates G., Guarenti L., Parker S.P., Willumsen J.F. & Tomkins A.M. (1998).  Evaluation of the sensitivity and specificity of a Treponema pallidum dried blood spot technique for use in the detection of syphilis.  Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

https://academic.oup.com/trstmh/article-abstract/92/1/44/1875385

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