It would be easy to despair in the current situation.
Socially isolated, concerned about family and friends, our jobs and the economy — while following reports of ever more COVID-19 cases and deaths — there’s obviously lots to worry about.
But let’s not forget that in response to this global pandemic, scientists around the planet — by the thousands — are, as you read this, working together to fight back against this new disease.
Humanity’s brightest minds are focused on finding therapies to treat those afflicted by the coronavirus, as well as vaccines to ultimately protect all of us.
That includes dozens and dozens of research projects here in Canada, including the Atlantic provinces.
So help is on the way.
The World Health Organization reports more than 40 prospective vaccines are in development globally. Clinical trials have already begun in one. Four other trials are slated to begin by June.
WHO experts credit the quick response to Chinese researchers sharing the genomic sequence of the virus, along with efficient co-operation among scientists worldwide.
It’ll take time, possibly 18 months. The need is urgent, but proper testing to ensure safety is vital. But scientists seem confident they can develop an effective vaccine to help prevent, or at least mute, the impact of COVID-19.
The World Health Organization reports more than 40 prospective vaccines are in development globally. Clinical trials have already begun in one. Four other trials are slated to begin by June.
On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $192 million for developing a vaccine, so Canada is ready to mass produce one when available, regardless of where it’s created.
Meanwhile, researchers around the world are also hunting for potential therapies to treat people stricken by the coronavirus, as well as potentially protect those on the frontlines from getting infected.
According to the Milken Institute, a non-profit, non-partisan think tank which has launched a tracker to list all vaccines and treatments in development, there are more than 50 possible COVID-19 therapies in the works, including several dozen already in clinical trials.
Approaches differ widely. Some involve repurposing existing medicines. One promising project seeks to extract antibodies from people who have recovered from the coronavirus to create serums that could, at least temporarily, help very sick patients or confer immunity on healthy frontline health-care workers.
Here in Atlantic Canada, researchers at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia and at private companies are working with colleagues internationally on a number of COVID-19-related projects, including vaccines, antivirals and immunotherapies, as well as developing screening tests to quickly detect the virus as well as indicate who’s most susceptible to its most severe effects. At Memorial University in Newfoundland, an epidemiologist is one of three researchers on a team that received funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
So while we hunker down, trying to keep ourselves and loved ones safe and give the health care system time to cope, remember that humanity’s brightest minds are on the case.
