SARS-CoV-2: Questions from Scientists

Environmental & Science Education, STEM, Health, Medicine, Nature of Science

Ed Hessler

Much has been learned about SARS-CoV-2, e.g., according to Helen Branswell, "People who contract the virus are infectious before they develop symptoms and are most infectious early in their illness. Getting the public to wear masks, even homemade ones, can reduce transmission. Vaccines can be developed, tested, and put into use within months. As they say, where there’s a will, there’s a way."

But much remains unknown about this virus. Experts--two dozen virologists, epidemiologists, immunologists, and evolutionary biologists--told Helen Branswell of STAT what they would like to know about the SARS-CoV-2 virus.There are questions that continue to "bedevil scientists." The scientists were asked to submit "their top question. (Some... cheated, submitting several.)"

As usual I include the section heads and urge you to read the article for the details as well as to learn more about the experts.

--What accounts for the wide variety of human responses to this virus?

--How much immunity is enough immunity?

--How often will reinfections happen and what will they be like?

--Put another way, how long will immunity last?

--How are viral variants going to impact the battle against Covid-19?

--What’s the deal with Covid and kids? 

--How big a role do asymptomatically infected people actually play in SARS-2 transmission? 

--What does the future hold for SARS-2, evolutionarily and otherwise? 

--Can we figure out who might become a superspreader? 

--Can we learn more quicker from the study of the genetic sequences of SARS-2 viruses? 

She continues this with a discussion of three other issues.

--The impact of the nonpharmaceutical interventions.

--The differences between SARS-2 and its older cousin, SARS-1.

--Last but not least: Where did SARS-2 come from?