Corona Daily 110: Covid Compliance Officer (C19CO)

You probably didn’t watch the Oscar ceremony two days ago; it was the least viewed Oscar telecast in history. Oscars had appointed a ‘head of covid compliance’ - Dr Erin Bromage, professor of immunology. Instead of the Dolby Theater, the ceremony was held at the spacious Los Angeles Union (Railway) station. Vaccinated guests sat mask-less at widely spaced tables.

The protocol allowed a shorter quarantine for those who flew in by first or business class. All guests and presenters were given at-home testing kits. In all 15000 rapid tests were conducted, and vaccinations verified.

The “red carpet” was tiny. Winners walked a few steps to a small dais. Songs were not live, but pre-show, not part of the ceremony itself.

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This article is not about the Academy awards but a new job that has emerged in the pandemic: Covid Compliance Officer (technically C19CO. Sounds a bit like a virus variant). CCO is the new gatekeeper, the watchdog on film sets, events, festivals, offices, sport tournaments, clubs or universities.

Dr Linda Dahl is an ear, nose and throat surgeon. In June 2020, lockdowns forced her to shut her practice. Unemployed, a friend asked her if she would like to be a CCO for a TV production. Linda said no, and later took the job, because the studio didn’t find anyone else.

The TV production had a 300 person cast-crew. She began waking up at 4 am to check the PCR test results. If somebody was positive, it was her responsibility to contact trace and isolate the crew. Linda disapproved of the “covid theatre” that includes rapid tests, temperature screening and plastic dividers (called split bubbles) in the makeup and catering department. She insists consistent PCR testing and ventilation are the most critical. Temperature checking and wiping the doorknobs give the appearance of doing the right thing, but good filtration and ventilation actually mitigate risk.

In sports tournaments (like the current Indian cricket league) all the players are in a bubble. But in this TV production, people went home, and then the Covid Compliance officer had no control over what they did.

The budget for Covid compliance is high, 25-30% of the total budget. Linda was getting pitches for covid sniffer dogs and six-figure thermal scanners.

At Kaufman Astoria Studios, a crew member was carrying a birthday cake for his colleague. “You can’t eat it here” Linda had to say firmly. She also prohibited blowing candles or singing the birthday song. Instead people clapped.

She and other CCOs get various nicknames: covid cop, social distance nazi, quarantine queen.

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The CCOs must absorb ever changing guidance from the health authorities. New York state’s quarantine changed from zero to 14 days, and then to 7 days. One CCO warns: Our guidance today is not the same as our guidance tomorrow.

CCOs have the power to cancel a show or shooting. Orchestra vocalists and wind instrumentalists are given brown paper bags to put their masks in while performing. Breaking of any protocol as simple as this can result in a cancellation of a concert. 

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CCOs don’t need to be doctors. Some of them are from the relevant industry. Online courses ($50) for two hours give you a certificate, but there is no official accreditation. Erica DeSimone, an event producer, worked as a CCO on a set in New Jersey.

Erica sat on every pre-production meeting. She was always first on set, ensured rapid testing, marking the floors for distance, checked food was individually packed. For the next 12 hours, she walked on the set repeating three mantras: (a) Please put your mask above your nose. (b) Please step further apart. (c) How did you sneak that water bottle here?

She had assistants with super soaker squirt guns full of hand sanitiser. They walked about cleaning tables, chairs and communal areas. And the bathroom every time someone visited it.

Before taking part, all actors and crew have to sign a waiver saying they won’t sue the producer if they get Covid. So, there is a grudging respect for the job the CCO does.

Ravi