By registering for and attending the American Society of Human Genetics Annual Meeting and related meetings (the “Event”), I acknowledge that I will be voluntarily participating in the following activities sponsored by the American Society of Human Genetics (“ASHG”), held on October 25-29, 2022, in the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California (collectively, the “Activities”):

Participate in a multi-day conference expected to have over 5,000 attendees who will come to the Event from many different locations across the U.S and abroad; most meeting events will be held indoors in rooms; eat in indoor common areas with food served as boxed meals or attended stations with required protocols per convention center; and other activities consistent with a large scale in-person professional meeting.

I am aware that the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease known as COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization. COVID-19 is extremely contagious, including the virus variants Delta and Omicron.  The state of medical knowledge is evolving and that new variants of the virus have been identified and are spreading, but the virus is believed to spread from person-to-person contact, through the air, and/or by contact with contaminated surfaces and objects. People can be infected and spread the virus without or before showing symptoms and therefore spread the disease unknowingly, and tests to detect the virus can return false negatives.  Evidence has shown that COVID-19 can cause serious and potentially life-threatening illness and even death. As of the date of this document, there is no known widely available government-approved cure for COVID-19, and none is anticipated to be fully available by the time of the Event.

I understand that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) urges all adults to be up-to-date on vaccinations against the novel coronavirus, that vaccination can confer substantial protections against COVID-19 infection and can reduce the likelihood of serious complications from COVID-19 but does not provide 100% immunity against COVID-19, and that ASHG requires all attendees at the Event to provide proof that the attendee is up-to-date on vaccination against COVID-19 dose prior to attending the Event.  I understand that the CDC defines “up to date” as having received at least a primary course of vaccination against COVID-19 (e.g., two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine) and, if eligible for a booster dose, having received a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.  I have reviewed the information at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html for booster dose eligibility information.

I am aware that the Event Activities are occurring in a public and/or indoor location during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that the Activities therefore could be hazardous, and that I could also be exposed to COVID‑19 through travel to the Event.  I am aware that even diligent efforts to follow public health guidance and orders cannot guarantee that participants in the Activities will not contract the virus that causes COVID-19, and that I could be infected, seriously injured or even die due to COVID-19 or due to activities by me or others on or at the Event, including but not limited to the activities listed above, even if I am up-to-date on vaccination against COVID-19.

I AM VOLUNTARILY PARTICIPATING IN THESE ACTIVITIES WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE DANGER INVOLVED AND AGREE TO ASSUME ANY AND ALL RISKS OF BODILY INJURY, DEATH, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE WHETHER THOSE RISKS ARE KNOWN OR UNKNOWN.

I agree that I HAVE READ AND WILL ABIDE BY ASHG’S HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS while participating in the Activities and that I will not attend the Event or have in-person contact with ASHG’s employees unless I am up-to-date on vaccination against COVID-19 (as defined by the CDC) and am able truthfully and accurately respond to ASHG’s Event Attendee Screening Questionnaire with responses that indicate my attendance does not pose a heightened risk to myself or other attendees, and unless I meet all of ASHG’s attendee conditions.

In addition to all other rules and regulations relating to my attendance at the Event, I agree to comply with all COVID-related laws, guidelines, protocols, or procedures that may be implemented by ASHG, the Event venue, and the federal/state/local government as applicable at the time of the Event, in order to protect as much as possible the health and safety of all attendees, including directives for frequent hand washing, social distancing and use of face masks in public and indoor locations. I agree that if I experience any symptoms associated with COVID‑19 when I am scheduled to travel to the Event, I will not come to the Event.  I agree also to review and comply with the CDC’s guidance on quarantine and isolation if, during the Event, I am notified that I have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, I develop symptoms of COVID-19, or I test positive for COVID-19, and to notify Event staff promptly of my exposure, symptoms, or positive COVID-19 test.  See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html.

ASSUMPTION OF RISK: I have read and understood the above warning concerning COVID‑19.  I hereby choose to accept the risk of contracting COVID-19 for myself.  The value of attending the Event is such that I accept the risk of being exposed to or contracting COVID-19 in order to attend the Event in person.

WAIVER OF LAWSUIT/LIABILITY:  As consideration for being permitted by ASHG to participate in the Activities and attend the Event, I forever release ASHG and its board members, employees, volunteers, agents, attorneys, contractors, and representatives (collectively “Releasees”) from any and all liabilities, causes of action, lawsuits, claims, demands, or damages of any kind whatsoever that I, my assignees, heirs, guardians, next of kin, spouse and legal representatives now have, or may have in the future, for bodily injury, death, or property damage, related to (i) my participation in the Activities or presence at the Event, (ii) the negligence or other acts of any Releasee, whether directly connected to the Activities or not, and however caused, and (iii) the condition of the Event.  This release includes, without limitation, any claims in connection with any exposure, infection, and/or spread of COVID-19 related to attendance at the Event.  I understand that this waiver means I give up my right to bring any claims including but not limited for personal injuries, death, disease or property losses, or any other loss, including but not limited to claims of negligence and give up any claim I may have to seek damages, whether known or unknown, foreseen, or unforeseen.

I HAVE CAREFULLY READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND ALL PROVISIONS OF THIS RELEASE, AND FREELY AND KNOWINGLY ASSUME THE RISK AND WAIVE MY RIGHTS CONCERNING LIABILITY AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.