Currently, the world is upside down, as COVID-19 races around the globe. From stopping the spread of infections to developing an effective vaccine to testing experimental treatments, scientists worldwide certainly have their hands full. But there are additional important actions for scientists (both in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry and elsewhere) to take during this coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus pandemic hitting too close to home
The past few weeks have felt surreal to me as I watched this tsunami of coronavirus infections rapidly approach my geographic location in the US. I hope that we are strong enough to weather the impacts of this pandemic. I feel as if we are at war against the coronavirus, with our healthcare workers and their families at the front lines.
My 5-year-old son recently asked if my husband, a healthcare professional who takes care of patients, will get the virus. My husband answered, “Maybe.” At that moment, my heart totally broke. If my husband gets infected, then so will our whole family!
I asked myself, “What can I do to help this fight? How can I help ‘flatten the curve’ so that health care providers are better prepared?”
As scientists, we must step in to educate others. We need science-based practices to prevail. Even if I stop just one person from infecting others, I can potentially stop hundreds of cases, given the exponential growth in the disease rate.
My actions so far during the coronavirus crisis
This past week, I saw a flyer about social distancing that circulated in my local community. I immediately recognized that it was dangerously inaccurate. Alarmingly, it said that going to the library and going to church was acceptable - these are definitely not okay.
I corrected and updated the flyer to include the appropriate precautions. Then, an acquaintance I met in a coronavirus advocacy group helped me edit the graphic. I posted this new flyer on Facebook and had almost 3,000 shares in 2 days. I also posted the flyer on all the Facebook pages of local parenting groups and encouraged others to do so as well.
Editorial note: Click here to download a PDF version of this flyer.
Most of my friends on social media are immunologists, epidemiologists, or biologists. They typically know a thing or two about viruses and epidemics. Therefore, I changed my social media settings to make public all of my posts about coronavirus. As a result, my public posts will reach everyone else who may not have this scientific background.
In addition, I have been really active in attacking misinformation. For example, when a veterinary office was requesting N95 masks, I shut down the thread by explaining that the CDC recommends that N95 masks must be saved for hospitals and healthcare professionals performing procedures that produce aerosols (which increase the risk of coronavirus spread).
On social media and in other communication channels, I have shared the relevant phone number for people to call to report businesses not following the guidance from my local county.
Editorial note: You can follow Michelle on LinkedIn and Twitter for additional science advocacy suggestions.
Important Actions for Scientists
I am using my knowledge and expertise as a scientist to channel my anxieties about coronavirus into productive actions.
Here are ways that scientists can take action that will have high impact during this pandemic:
1. Get educated.
Become familiar with CDC guidelines and precautions. Pay attention to local information regarding COVID19. Check the CDC and your state and county health department websites regularly for important updates.
Press conferences are occuring daily at the state and county levels. Each day, I listen to the press conferences held by my state as well as my county and the neighboring Philadelphia county. These press conferences are live-streamed on Facebook, so following them on social media increases communication. Essential information is often shared at the local level at these press conferences.
2. Educate others about social distancing.
One of the most important actions for scientists to take is to help people understand social distancing guidelines. No playdates, no sleepovers, and no house parties. Social distancing goes against who we are as social human beings, but it is necessary to limit the spread of the virus. Social distancing will save lives.
We especially need to educate teenages and young adults to stay home. Make sure your own families understand social distancing. Teach your parents about grocery delivery services. Encourage people to leave space between them and others as they wait in line at grocery stores.
Reach out to neighborhood groups to educate them. Whether by posting flyers online, at parks, or in our neighborhoods, we need to get the word out among our communities and networks. We also need to protect our vulnerable populations in poverty and more dense neighborhoods. Post flyers while maintaining social distancing (preferably 6 feet or more).
3. Shut down misinformation.
If you are confident in your understanding of CDC and local guidelines, then communicate those guidelines. For example, patients who experience minor symptoms should not go to the Emergency Room (ER) to be tested for COVID-19. Patients should call their provider, and if testing is warranted, they can utilize designated testing sites if they are able to safely do so without exposing others. We need to save the ERs for emergencies and also encourage people with symptoms to stay isolated and not expose others.
Even though I am not a public health official, I have been answering random questions from family and from strangers in regards to social distancing, viral shedding, ways of protecting themselves. To be credible and most accurate, I limit the information I share to what public health officials have communicated. I will answer basic biology questions and follow up with references (like peer-reviewed literature or credible websites). Plus, I will admit when I don’t know the answer to a question.
4. Contact your local officials.
I have contacted my county and state departments of health with various concerns. Also, I have tweeted the Philadelphia mayor for days to encourage that he shut down the city (which he eventually did). If you identify a valid need or concern, then please contact your local officials. These types of actions by scientists can make a real impact.
5. Amplify voices.
Twitter has been a great source of information from leaders in virology and public health. These include Scott Gottlieb, former FDA commissioner; Trever Bedford, virologist at University of Washington; Eric Feigl-Ding, epidemiologist at Harvard; Tom Frieden, former CDC director; as well as leaders of local and state departments of health.
Scientists can share valid information through social media and in their local neighborhood groups. For example, Philadelphia has just announced the testing sites for COVID-19, and scientists can disseminate this information. As another example, the PA Department of Health and CDC have useful graphics that can be shared with local groups.
6. Take action through volunteering if you are able.
Currently, my county is looking for volunteers to deliver food to those in need. Local neighborhood groups are organizing food or medication deliveries to the elderly and those in need. The Medical Reserve Corps is accepting volunteers to take action within their areas. Philadelphia has a volunteer portal, and your city may have one too.
Call someone who is in isolation with symptoms and safely drop off groceries or medicines at the door so that they do not leave the house and infect others. Check on an elderly neighbor via a phone call.
There are hackathons being pulled together to generate ideas for challenges being faced because of COVID-19.
If you know people who have hoarded N95 or surgical masks, encourage them to donate unopened items to a local hospital or directly to a healthcare provider.
7. Spread the wealth.
It is going to get hard for our economy. If you are fortunate to have a job that is paying you, please continue to remotely pay your cleaning service, hair stylist, babysitter, etc., even when you are not receiving services. Buy extra food for a neighbor who has lost his or her job.
8. Maintain your mental wellbeing.
Call a friend or two to check in on them. Take a walk outside. Do activities with your children. Now is the time to value the connections that we have and be thankful for the love that we share.
Times are tough, and they will get worse before they get better. We need to stay in this together... just remotely.
Editorial note: Find additional actions for scientists to get involved with high-impact advocacy in this guest post by JoEllen McBride, 500 Women Scientists’ Philly Advocacy Director.