More than 70 people work at WIPAC: scientists, students, postdocs, faculty, engineers, IT professionals, and support staff, including those operating the detector remotely, transmitting data, and producing science-ready data for the collaboration. Our number one priority has always been their health and safety. Our thoughts are with all those who are affected by the pandemic, especially friends, family, and colleagues who have contracted the virus.
We are in close communication with the leadership at UW–Madison and the National Science Foundation. We are following the UW–Madison guidelines for work on campus; for most, this means working remotely and practicing social distancing when it is essential to leave home. Fortunately, most of our personnel are able to continue their work from home, including those who are involved in data analysis, software development, administration, and communications.
Large group meetings (including the spring IceCube Collaboration meeting), events, travel, and public outreach activities have been cancelled for the foreseeable future.
Senior WIPAC staff are meeting remotely every weekday to assess the situation and respond to immediate issues that arise.
See the IceCube Neutrino Observatory’s statement here.
We will update this message if the situation changes.