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The coronavirus death toll (COVID-19) continues to increase since its appearance in December last year. To date, it has claimed more than 2619 deaths, and the number of infected people amounts to 79336, of whom more than 74576 are Chinese.
Scientists and medical professionals in China face an enormous challenge to contain the epidemic and prevent its spread to other regions of the world (to date, more than 32 countries are affected). In previous articles, we talked about the origin of the COVID-19 virus and the importance of being critical of the information circulating during a global health crisis.
From the special programs and protocols to attack the progress of the outbreak to the dedication of the medical professionals and scientists who keep working even after becoming infected, China is fighting full steam against the advance of the coronavirus. Still, it has another enemy: content saturation and misinformation.
An exceptional national deployment
The effort to control the outbreak comes from a strategy coordinated by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST). The ministry launched a program called “Dealing with the COVID-19 Epidemic,” which includes four blocks of 20 emergency programs to date. In addition to the projects specifically created to contain the epidemic, two of China’s most significant scientific and technological projects are also being reassessed: “Creation of Important and Innovative Medicines” and “Prevention and Treatment of Severe Contagions.” Several important discoveries after the implementation of these programs are already being executed to halt the progress of COVID-19.
In addition, the deployment of effort was also reflected in the issue of infrastructure. China managed to build two hospitals in only ten days; both prefabricated buildings will provide 2,600 beds, 30 units of intensive care (in just one of the two temporary hospitals), and other resources to treat outpatients.
Academic solidarity
Around the world, members of diverse scientific communities have spoken out in support of the challenges, hard work, discoveries, and results of the Chinese scientific community in the face of this health crisis. Dozens of scientists and academicians published a statement in the British newspaper The Lancet in support of those who are dealing with the outbreak in China.
“We are signing this statement in solidarity with all the scientists and health professionals in China, who continue to save lives and protect global health during the challenge of the COVID-19 epidemic. We are in this together with our Chinese counterparts on the frontlines of this new viral threat.”
The group signing the document mentions how the scientific community, especially in China, has worked quickly and effectively to identify the pathogen behind the epidemic, in addition to applying adequate measures to reduce its impact. At the same time, they share information and results with the rest of the world.
Closing ranks in the face of rumors
The aim of this statement was not only to highlight the work of the science and health professionals in the face of the epidemic but also to show a united front against the misinformation and rumors that COVID-19 had a fabricated origin. The academicians who support the statement in the Lancet are vehemently opposed to the dissemination of unverifiable data that do not come directly from the scientific community.
“Scientists from multiple countries have published and analyzed the genomes of the causative agent, acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and all unanimously conclude that coronavirus originated in nature, like many other emerging pathogens.”
To the position of these scientists is added a letter from the presidents of the Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine in the United States. Written in early February and endorsed by all the scientific communities it represents, the letter is part of the U.S. national communication efforts.
To combat misinformation and the distribution of false data, The Lancet makes available to the public a resource center with accurate information on the development and studies of COVID-19. Also, it invites other academicians, researchers, and scientists to share these resources and to sign their declaration of transparency and support to the scientific community who is working to contain the epidemic.
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This article from Observatory of the Institute for the Future of Education may be shared under the terms of the license CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 
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