RESEARCH ABROAD IN THE TIME OF COVID
defense cooperation. “We can cooperate in science and development. We have great scientists that are also active in the United States. So we have excellent scientists and I see a great potential,” Babis said. MacAl- lister, as the first Army scientist in Czech Republic under this exchange program, is laying the groundwork for that future cooperation.
FRESH AIR
MacAllister enjoys some time outside the lab running in the Hradec Forest across from her apartment near the research center at the Czech Republic’s University of Defense, where she is working as part of the U.S. Army’s Engineer and Scientist Exchange Program. (Photo courtesy of MacAllister)
As restrictions started lifting, MacAllister was able to do more than just go to work or walk in the forest, and she found so many others in town to be just as helpful. She had hoped her German and English fluencies would help her learn Czech, but unfortunately it doesn’t resemble the other languages at all. She’s finding, though, that people are incredibly patient and willing to help when she needs it. “I learned to say, ‘I don’t speak Czech. Do you speak English or German?’ in Czech,” MacAllister said of her efforts to reach out. When she hears other Americans or native English speak- ers also living in the college town, she takes some time to chat with them.
LOOKING AHEAD During a press conference in August, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis said he and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had discussed scientists and
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Te U.S. Embassy in Prague has recog- nized the importance of MacAllister’s exchange and of the program. “We are delighted that she is cooperating with outstanding Czech scientists at the Univer- sity of Defense Research Laboratory in Hradec Králové,” said embassy spokesman Griffin Rozell. “Her work in infectious diseases is timely and her presence has been noted and appreciated at the high- est levels of the Czech government. We look forward to continuing the exchange program by building on this experience and also hope to facilitate an exchange for a Czech researcher to the United States. Cooperation through military exchanges improves allied readiness and solidifies our strong military-to-military relationship.”
In addition to the scientific outcomes, MacAllister knows the potential for her exchange to have an even bigger impact by reinforcing the enduring U.S. relation- ship with the Czech Republic—which is recognized internationally for its exper- tise in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense—and facilitating the future placement of Czech scientists in U.S. Department of Defense research facil- ities. In hopes of paving the way for future U.S. Army exchange personnel, MacAl- lister will take the lessons learned from her exchange to help the U.S. Embassy in Prague; the Science and Technology Attaché at the Czech Republic Embassy in Washington; U.S. Army Combat Capabil- ities Development Command – Atlantic; and the Office of the Deputy Assistant
Army AL&T Magazine Winter 2021
Her Czech supervisor ensured she was included in group picnics and other outdoor activities to stave off any feelings of isolation.
STATE OF EMERGENCY
The Czech Republic’s initial state of emergency on March 13 restricted:
• All public and private cultural, sports, social, religious, educational and other events with more than 30 people.
• Operation of catering services in shopping centers.
• Public access to gyms, swimming pools, wellness services and saunas, public libraries and galleries.
• Entry into the territory of the Czech Republic for all foreigners coming from risk areas, with the exception of foreigners staying with a temporary stay of more than 90 days or permanent residence there, unless their entry is in the Czech Republic's interest.
(Source: The government of the Czech Republic: https://www.
vlada.cz/cz/media-centrum/)
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