COVID-19 Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk

In consideration of being permitted by the Vision Sciences Society (“VSS”) to attend VSS 2022 (“Meeting”) at the TradeWinds Island Resorts (“TradeWinds”), you agree to the terms and conditions stated in this COVID-19 Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk (“Release”).

I acknowledge and agree to the following:

  1. I am aware of the contagious nature of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (“COVID-19”), and the risk that I may be exposed to, or contract COVID-19 by traveling to and from, and participating in, the Meeting and otherwise being at TradeWinds. I understand and acknowledge that such exposure or infection may result in illness, personal injury, psychological injury, pain, suffering, temporary or permanent disability, death, and/or financial loss. I understand VSS cannot guarantee I will not become infected with COVID-19 or other infectious disease while at TradeWinds or the Meeting, and that being at TradeWinds or the Meeting may increase my risk of contracting COVID-19. NOTWITHSTANDING THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19, I ACKNOWLEDGE I AM VOLUNTARILY APPEARING AT TRADEWINDS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE DANGER INVOLVED. I HEREBY ACCEPT AND ASSUME ALL RISKS OF ILLNESS, PERSONAL INJURY, PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURY, PAIN, SUFFERING, DISABILITY, DEATH, AND/OR FINANCIAL LOSS RELATED TO COVID-19, ARISING FROM MY BEING AT TRADEWINDS OR THE MEETING, WHETHER CAUSED BY THE ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE OF VSS OR OTHERWISE.
  2. I hereby expressly waive and release any and all claims, now known or hereafter known, against VSS, and its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, contractors, agents, affiliates, representatives, members, successors, and assigns (collectively, “Releasees”), on account of personal or psychological injury, illness, pain, suffering, disability, death, or financial loss arising out of or attributable to my being at TradeWinds or the Meeting and being exposed to or contracting COVID-19, whether arising out of the ordinary negligence of VSS or any Releasees or otherwise. I covenant not to make or bring any such claim against VSS or any other Releasee, and forever release and discharge VSS and all other Releasees from liability under such claims. This Release does not extend to claims for gross negligence, willful or wanton misconduct, or any other liabilities that Florida law does not permit to be released by agreement.
  3. I am familiar with federal, state, and local guidelines related to COVID-19, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) guidance on COVID-19. I agree to participate in and abide by all safety protocols implemented onsite by VSS and TradeWinds. This includes but is not limited to wearing masks in indoor public spaces, practicing social distancing, providing proof of either full vaccination or a negative PCR test result from within forty-eight hours prior to the Meeting’s first day (at my expense), as a condition of being permitted to attend the Meeting. I ACKNOWLEDGE IF I DO NOT PRESENT THE DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED BY VSS, OR, OTHERWISE, CANNOT OR DO NOT SATISFY THE SAFETY PROTOCOLS, I WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO ENTER TRADEWINDS OR ATTEND THE MEETING.
  4. I agree to not attend the Meeting if I am experiencing or exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms as outlined by the CDC.
  5. I agree not to attend the Meeting if I have had recent close contact with a person who tested positive, or if I experienced any symptoms associated with COVID-19 within the 10 days prior to the Meeting.
  6. I understand that while VSS desires for the Meeting to be safe, VSS does not have control over cleaning protocols, air filtration systems, etc. at TradeWinds.
  7. VSS reserves the right to modify the conditions upon which attendees are permitted to attend the Meeting consistent with applicable law and public health guidelines.
  8. This Release, along with the terms of the Meeting registration materials, constitute the entire agreement of VSS and me regarding the subject matter contained in this Release and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations, and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter. If any term or provision of this Release is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other term or provision of this Release or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. This Release is binding on and shall inure to the benefit of VSS and me and our respective successors and assigns. All matters arising out of or relating to this Release shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Florida without giving effect to any conflict of law rule.