The last meeting that I attended was the 64th annual BPS meeting in San Diego, not long before the pandemic travel restrictions came into effect and infection rates went through the roof. In February 2020, I believe many of us were still hopeful that, somehow, it would not get that bad. Two years later, I am preparing to fly back to the East coast, for what is effectively the restart of conference traveling for me. I remain somewhat optimistic, despite carrying a much heavier luggage: the important lessons learned during the waves of new realities that came and went since 2020, and new travel must-haves.
You guessed it, masks. Lots of masks. Hand sanitizer, of course. Negative Covid test? Check. I am also packing at-home Covid-19 tests, so I can self-monitor during the conference and before flying back. For the conference, the registration QR code is not a novelty, but the CrowdPass vaccine verification QR code is. Check, and check! Materials for the Education and Career Opportunities Fair? Check. My poster is all rolled up and ready to challenge the definitions of carry-on luggage. If you are curious to see it, meet me at the Diffraction and Scattering poster session at the tuesday afternoon session. I will be happy do tell you how many proteins and surfactants experience high pressure (hundreds of atmospheres) in most laboratories.
As I exchange messages with fellow biophysicists who are attending the meeting, they too are cross-checking their travel list. I remind them to bring proof of vaccination (remember that the CrowdPass is just for the Moscone Center!). Some are anxiously waiting for their test results so they can fly with a recent test; others are flying accross time zones, and others started exploring the hilly San Francisco streets. Two years ago, I would already have a few meals lined up with biophysicist colleagues and students, many of them neutron users that know me as a local contact for their small angle scattering or diffraction experiments. This year things are different, there are some interesting contrasts. For instance, by the end of the annual meeting, there will be work colleagues that I have not seen in person for longer than fellow biophysicists from Europe or Asia. It was also striking when a conference attendee recently told me that he has not eaten at a restaurant for the past two years. As I find myself googling take-away and outdoor eating near the Moscone center, I realize that there are many options. Including for those who prefer not to mix food and science - a small price to pay - like the poster sessions or the speed networking event on Monday. Both tagged on the BPS app on my phone now, where, unlike two years ago, I can also tag symposia and posters to find out more about the SARS-COV-2 proteases, spike proteins and variants. We have come a long way! Looking forward to the tasty week ahead, with new flavors of science. If you see me around at the Moscone Center, don’t hesitate to say hi. I will be the one proudly wearing blogger and travel award ribbons.