COVID-19 articles
Cary Funk: “It is important to engage with people who have a low level of trust in scientists”
Cary Funk from Pew Research Center talks about the impact of people’s ideology and education on their trust in scientists, medical treatments and vaccines, and how science communication can overcome this.
The role of school settings in COVID-19 transmission
So far, sending children back to school does not seem to have increased community transmission rates, even though EU countries have adopted different strategies. Keeping schools open is very important for children’s health and well-being.
COVID-19 : tracking clusters to keep ahead of fresh surges
With many countries around the world beginning to see or anticipating a resurgence of COVID-19, attention has been turning to how to avoid an economically punishing second round of lockdowns while keeping transmission down. One method is by examining the types of hotspots where clusters of cases emerge.
“Unlocking” COVID-19: the use and misuse of tests
“Test, test, test” was one of the mantras of the World Health Organization (WHO) director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The issue is particularly relevant in the “unlocking” phase several European countries are going through, as the curve of the pandemics bends. At this stage, and while effective vaccines or therapies are still not available, tests are crucial to keep the disease at bay. But are they effective and reliable?
From COVID-19 to climate change: seeing the issues beyond the news cycle
While COVID-19 and climate change may appear to belong to different worlds, one can uncover direct causal links when looking through a Systems Thinking lens. In an age of uncertainty, how should journalists and science communicators approach and report about complex issues like climate change?
COVID-19: how our behaviour can help stop the coronavirus
The spread of infectious diseases is linked with human behaviour, so behavioural science could be used to inform effective modelling and communication strategies to reduce transmission and contain COVID-19.
The differences between SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2
Although according to the World Health Organization the novel coronavirus is primarily transmitted between people through respiratory droplets and contact routes, some scientists suggest we should also consider the possibility of aerosol transmission. As the pandemic continues to unfold, research and discussions are ongoing to determine how best to tackle it. Two leading experts offer their opinions, alongside an exploration into some of the vital research being conducted.
Which way for EU data governance during COVID-19?
Since the unprecedented outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, the use of data has extensively been discussed. What obstacles do scientists, public health officials and private companies face when processing datasets? And how much digital privacy can EU citizens afford in times of crisis?
Covid-19: Boosting antiviral research
As countries around the world implement national pandemic plans, we take a look at some of the research strategies being pursued to tackle Covid-19.
The new corona virus – reactions of leading European researchers
At a time of dramatic news of widespread infections in China from the new corona virus, COVID-19, virologists in the top European institutes are intensively working to understand more about the novel disease.