Introduction

• Benoit Delille (CERN)
• Andre Henriques (CERN)

Room: 503/1-001 - Council Chamber

Viruses, physics, sci-fi and public health - mysteries and similarities

• Julian W Tang (University of Leicester)

Room: 503/1-001 - Council Chamber Dr Julian W Tang Consultant Virologist, Clinical Microbiology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK Honorary Associate Professor, Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought together specialists from many different fields - who would normally not meet during the course of their professional lives. In this light-hearted talk, I will compare some phenomena and mysteries in virology and physics (a passion for particle physics and cosmology since my school days) - and would be very interested to exchange thoughts with this unique CERN audience on some of these questions, such influenza seasonality, gain of function studies and origins of pandemic viruses, as well as how to deal with uncertainty in viral transmission risks and the precautionary principle - to prepare for the next pandemic. Within such areas of uncertainty, science fiction can flourish - and maybe even inspire new ideas about possible solutions to some of these conundrums – subject well covered in Hollywood movies and South Korean dramas, combining the world of viruses and physics of space-time travel. My talk will cover the similarities between these fields and the mysteries still to be understood in view of preparing for the next global health crisis.

ARIA: A WHO/CERN collaboration and the importance of multidisciplinary science-driven policies

• Alice Simniceanu (WHO)

Room: 503/1-001 - Council Chamber Alice Simniceanu Epidemiologist, Health Emergencies Programme, World Health Organization (WHO) Abstract: Almost the entire global population (99%) breathes air that exceeds WHO air quality limits and threatens their health. This represents an estimated 4.2 million deaths globally linked to ambient air pollution, mainly from heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections. Since 1957, WHO is actively engaged on indoor air quality and, in 2021, the new global quality guideline was published. However, as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic required a rethinking of pathogen transmission mechanisms, our perception and understanding of air quality has changed. My talk will try to describe the major implications of this paradigm shift on future health policies and the importance of multidisciplinary collaborations to inform evidence-based decisions. Finally, we will see the possible impact of ARIA on the current pandemic as well as on the future scientific landscape.

Impact of COVID on workplace health & safety: importance of ventilation and lessons learnt

• Romain Guichard (INRS)

Room: 503/1-001 - Council Chamber Dr Romain Guichard Head of the Aeraulic Engineering laboratory, Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité (INRS) Abstract: The majority of workplaces were not well prepared to deal with airborne disease transmission. The COVID-19 pandemic then required the implementation of emergency measures concerning the aeration and ventilation of the premises. My talk will first come back to the reasoning that led to the development of the instructions given to companies about air renewal. Secondly, we will see what lessons could be drawn from this crisis to improve the health of workers in the long term and prevent the consequences of future pandemics, while remaining in line with the challenges of energy sobriety we are facing today.

Panel discussion with the experts - Q&A interaction

• Alice Simniceanu (WHO)
• Romain Guichard (INRS)
• Julian W Tang (University of Leicester)

Room: 503/1-001 - Council Chamber