ABSTRACT
At this point in time the coronavirus pandemic needs no introduction, as its deadly march has troubled the world and our lives beyond anything imaginable for the vast majority. The vaccination campaign now gives a glimpse of hope towards the end of the nightmare and a possible return to normality (whatever that might mean), with the risk of being too optimistic considering the emergence of new and even more contagious variants of this virus. Even if we reach the end, there will definitely be a lot to scrutinize and learn about the role science has taken during such a difficult and unprecedented experience. © Biochemical Society.
ABSTRACT
The disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic has now affected most aspects of life for an immense proportion of the world. From health to economics, jobs, moods, routines and communication, everything has been touched by a tiny 200 nanometer particle consisting of only a single piece of RNA and its envelope. Among these changes, science has acquired an unprecedented level of attention from outside its own community. Those who might have never even heard the words “genetic material”, became suddenly eager to learn about viruses, the immune system and vaccine development. Nevertheless, being in the loop does not come free of responsibility or criticism, and we now encounter the need to put this new found interaction between scientists and the general public into perspective. © 2020. All Rights Reserved.