The Year In Epidemiology - 2021 The 2021 Epidemiology Monitor calendar lists 98 events with definite dates and 67 possible events for which information is still unavailable as of publication in late December. Due to the Covid pandemic, approximately half of scheduled will now take place virtually. Others which are scheduled for later in the year will make the decision regarding presentation format closer to the scheduled date. The decision to hold events virtually can impact the duration of the events since it is unrealistic to expect attendees to participate in a full day of screen time. This means that some events have been stretched out with limited sessions each day or by providing sessions only during a limited block of time during the day such as mornings. Setting the time for events is challenging sponsors because attendees can be scattered over several time zones. Also, conference organizers are faced with the challenge of delivering their sessions in separate tracks simultaneously as happens at in-person events. In some instances this means sessions are being offered in series and this lengthens the duration of some conference events. Finally, the cost of participating in some events has been lowered because of the virtual format. The expectation is that most frequently these events will be convened on a Zoom platform. Anticipating a higher than usual demand for short courses given online, at least one course sponsor has limited the number of courses that any one individual can take in 2021. Rather than skipping a meeting, events that occur normally only every two or three years such as the meeting of the International Epidemiological Association and others which had been scheduled for 2020 have been rescheduled for 2021. A new event in 2021 will be the first World Field Epidemiology Day on September 7, 2021. According to the organizers, the event is intended to start a global movement to recognize and raise awareness of the vital role of field - Continues on page 2
Calendar Edition
2 0 2 1 December 2020 Volume Forty One Number Twelve