Home » COVID-19 and Pandemic Preparedness

COVID-19 and Pandemic Preparedness

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the profound significance of ongoing, robust investment in research and development. Research!America continues to be an outspoken advocate for the investment needed to fuel public and private-sector R&D aimed at stopping this and future pandemics in their tracks.

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center has met the challenge to keep its staff healthy and patients safe by maximizing their expertise and resources. Learn more about how they are taking research discoveries from the lab and putting them into action to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The University of Maryland (UMD) School of Medicine has developed a number of tools and resources in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about how UMD is innovating to overcome challenges.

Expert scientific members of the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) guided the creation of a public education unit on the mRNA vaccines. Learn about mRNA vaccines and how they work to defend against COVID-19 here. 

https://youtu.be/SR-9Bo2CaRQ

Scripps Research has developed Outbreak.info. This website standardizes and aggregates COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 data for easy access. The interface aggregates journal articles, preprints, clinical trials, protocols, and other resources in one place, standardizing metadata and applying NLP to make these sources searchable and more accessible. The interactive data dashboards allow for quick comparison of countries, states, counties, and metro areas, and includes an API and R Package for researchers who want to access all of the raw data.

NIH has a new COVID-19 website. The website features news on the latest NIH research, funding opportunities, and information on how to join a clinical trial.

The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), in coordination with NIH and Operation Warp Speed, has launched a central web portal called Combat COVID (https://combatcovid.hhs.gov/).

The portal is a one-stop resource to help members of the public and doctors find information about different stages of COVID-19 illness, NIH-supported COVID-19 prevention and treatment clinical trials, and locations to donate plasma.  The website provides clear and easy-to-understand information for:

Visit combatCOVID.hhs.gov to learn more.

Universities and Research Institutions

Nonprofits, Science Societies and Associations

Industry Resources

Blog

Medical progress: Determination, Collaboration, Innovation.

On January 12, we were joined by James Crowe, MD, Director of

 

Blog

Current Topics in Mental Health: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder & COVID-19

More than two-and-a-half-years into the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re still wrestling with understanding

 

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Optimism?

Dear Research Advocate, I’ve thought long and hard about how to begin

 

Filter by:

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Spotlight on Equity

Dear Research Advocate, The National Academies has released a detailed consensus report, “Advancing Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in STEMM Organizations: Beyond Broadening Participation.” The report calls on higher education […]

More: Spotlight on Equity

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Devil in the Details

Dear Research Advocate, First, some positive news: The 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer, an annual global survey released this week, finds scientists to be trusted by 76% of respondents — slightly […]

More: Devil in the Details

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

It’s A Wrap

Dear Research Advocate, Each U.S. consumer is projected to spend a whopping $883 dollars on average on gifts and holiday items this season. That’s more than four times the $215 […]

More: It’s A Wrap

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Let’s Talk

Dear Research Advocate, The film Don’t Look Up captured what might happen if scientists, journalists, and politicians all fail to communicate effectively with one another – or with the public […]

More: Let’s Talk

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

10,000 Lives Each Week

President Biden released the latest National Security Strategy, highlighting the pandemic preparedness imperative. Read more on this and how to prepare for midterm elections in this week's letter.

More: 10,000 Lives Each Week

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

A Revealing Map

Dear Research Advocate, As we approach the midterm elections, we are seeing a lot of red and blue maps. We have a map for you. On Monday, the National Institutes […]

More: A Revealing Map

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

The Countdown is On

Our late board chair, esteemed congressman John Porter, cited his father’s polio as the genesis of his lifelong commitment to elevating the priority of research. Concerns regarding the widely reported re-emergence of polio in New

More: The Countdown is On

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Seizing Opportunity

Dear Research Advocate, An article in Science last week carried the worrisome headline, “China rises to first place in most cited papers.” While there is long-standing disagreement as to how research rankings […]

More: Seizing Opportunity

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

A Busy Week in Washington

Dear Research Advocate, Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD), former Senate Majority Leader, and former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge (R-PA), co-authored a powerful and timely opinion piece in The Hill stressing the […]

More: A Busy Week in Washington

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Discipline and Staying Power

I had the honor of joining past NIH Directors Harold Varmus and Francis Collins (currently serving as Science Advisor to the President) and other admirers in delivering a eulogy for the legendary John Edward Porter,

More: Discipline and Staying Power

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

With Research, There is Hope

“Without research, there is no hope.” – inspirational wisdom shared decades ago by beloved Congressman and past Research!America Chair Paul Rogers (1921-2008), known as “Mr. Health.” This week, as we face the specter of more

More: With Research, There is Hope

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Preparation and Innovation

As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, it continues to pose new challenges and questions, including for the research community. A top priority is to better understand Long COVID. A CDC study released this week, “Post–COVID Conditions Among Adult

More: Preparation and Innovation

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Double Down on Innovation

Securing a meaningful increase for NIH as well as boosted funding for CDC, AHRQ, and other key health agencies pivots on the amount of overall funding the subcommittee receives when total FY23 appropriations are allocated across

More: Double Down on Innovation

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Making the Most of the Moment

We hosted our Annual Meeting of Members this afternoon, pausing to reflect on our work together over the last year and looking ahead. (Watch the recording.) One meeting highlight was Sjögren’s Foundation CEO Janet Church’s powerful recounting of the challenges she and

More: Making the Most of the Moment

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Safe Passage

Today is day 50 since Russia invaded Ukraine, initiating a deplorable, heartbreaking conflict, foremost so for the Ukrainian people. Today we reflect on the repercussions for scientists in both countries as well as the implications of

More: Safe Passage

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Representation and Inclusion

Today is World Health Day; it’s National Public Health Week; and National Minority Health Month as well – calling attention to how we are connected to each other. The COVID-19 pandemic has made the persistence

More: Representation and Inclusion

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Heroes Among Us

Research!America’s 2022 Advocacy Awards program took place yesterday. If you couldn’t join us “live,” check out this high-level recap of the program and watch the full event. We’d like to again express our appreciation to the honorees themselves, to

More: Heroes Among Us

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Delays Cost Lives

A year ago this week, the first COVID-19 vaccine was administered in the U.S. (outside of a clinical trial). Tragically, more than 800,000 individuals have died of COVID-19 in the U.S. alone, but an estimated 1.1 million lives in the U.S. have

More: Delays Cost Lives

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Clarity

Clarity is all-too elusive right now.

More: Clarity

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Skepticism In and About Science

As the COVID-19 virus continues to evolve, taking more lives and impacting us all, the urgency of conveying accurate, persuasive information, as well as effectively combating mis- and dis-information, has reached ‘code red’ levels.

More: Skepticism In and About Science

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Misinformation is Deadly

Today, a Surgeon General’s Advisory was released on “Confronting Health Misinformation,” directing every American’s attention to the harm misinformation causes to individual and public health.

More: Misinformation is Deadly

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Start by Asking

We are at an inflection point in the pandemic; many people are asking, “Life seems to be getting back to ‘normal’ — are we almost to the finish line?” One response is that we must

More: Start by Asking

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Championing Science

Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Fred Upton (R-MI) have released a “Cures 2.0” discussion draft that addresses a range of critical issues bearing on the future of health and healthcare. Read our statement applauding these research champions here and

More: Championing Science

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Plenty That’s New

President Biden’s full FY22 budget request builds upon and  modifies parts of the initial budget blueprint he released in April. Research!America applauded the President in our statement.

More: Plenty That’s New

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Advocacy Works

President Biden will release his FY22 budget tomorrow. We anticipate that it will be a great day for science, increasing public attention to the importance of science in meeting national goals.

More: Advocacy Works

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

00 Days Today

On his 99th day in office, President Biden delivered a policy-focused address to a joint session of Congress.

More: 00 Days Today

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Stewardship and Leadership

Today, people around the world are taking action to better the environment and our planet. As the public clearly recognizes, threats to the environment are threats to our health. Check out this evidence-based resource from The Medical Society

More: Stewardship and Leadership

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Focus on the Future

President Biden is expected to release his first set of spending requests for FY22 on Friday, enabling Congress to begin consideration of the budget for the new fiscal year.

More: Focus on the Future

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Big Plans

The Biden Administration has released “The American Jobs Plan.” The plan encompasses major investments in R&D, transportation, broadband, clean drinking water, manufacturing, and several other areas.

More: Big Plans

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Then and Now

This letter marks #500 since I began this weekly conversation with you. In the first letter, I spoke out against the Budget Control Act and the severe funding caps it would (and did) impose on

More: Then and Now

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Keys to the Path Forward

The Senate HELP Committee and House Energy and Commerce Committee held hearings this week to review the Biden Administration’s pandemic response and ongoing COVID-19 vaccine distribution with CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, NIH NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, HHS

More: Keys to the Path Forward

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

One Year Later

Dear Research Advocate, Never Again: One year ago today, the WHO officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Within days, statewide stay-at-home orders began across the U.S., and the road before us […]

More: One Year Later

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Perseverance and Resilience

Dear Research Advocate, Perseverance and resilience anchor us as we navigate this pandemic. The recent landing of the Perseverance rover on Mars exemplifies the tenacity and commitment underlying breakthrough discoveries […]

More: Perseverance and Resilience

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

RISE to the Challenge

A new survey commissioned by Research!America affirms Americans’ support for investing in research as a top priority for the new Congress and Administration. Four of five express strong support for the value of both public and private

More: RISE to the Challenge

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Full Speed Ahead

Getting a fast start on assuring that our nation reclaims our – let’s face it – war-torn identity as a science-strong nation, the Biden Administration is moving full speed ahead. Consider PCAST (the President’s Council of

More: Full Speed Ahead

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Stimulating Progress

President-elect Biden has indicated he will seek bipartisan support for a supplemental funding measure to address the urgent and ever-evolving needs created by this vicious and ongoing pandemic. 

More: Stimulating Progress

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Aftershock

For so many of us, the events of the last 24 hours are difficult to fully comprehend. Our nation has experienced a profound shock to our democracy.

More: Aftershock

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Bringing Science Home

Even as the death toll rises and hospitals are overwhelmed, we can feel optimistic as the first COVID-19 vaccine to be authorized by the FDA is being delivered into the arms of Americans. Some recipients

More: Bringing Science Home

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Spotlight on Public Health

This Thanksgiving will be challenging – there is no way around it – but giving thanks right now is especially appropriate. Medical and public health personnel, academic and industry researchers, and a plethora of other

More: Spotlight on Public Health

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Trust and Tribute

Appreciation: As we approach Thanksgiving, please consider two opportunities to recognize public health heroes. 

More: Trust and Tribute

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Will Science Be the Winner?

Physician and author Dr. Alison Escalante wrote in Forbes this week: “...a strong majority of Americans agree that ‘the Covid-19 pandemic is a disruptive event and requires urgent refocusing of America’s commitment to science.’” 

More: Will Science Be the Winner?

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Securing a Science-Strong Future

Anticipation is building for the Research!America 2020 Virtual #RAForum: Straight Talk: Securing a Science-Strong Future, featuring federal officials, members of Congress from both sides of the aisle, and other leaders from across the R&D and public

More: Securing a Science-Strong Future

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Now or Never

On Capitol Hill: Senate Republicans have a new legislative proposal for COVID-19 emergency supplemental spending which includes provisions such as extended unemployment benefits and emergency funding for USPS, but no supplemental funding to restore COVID-19-eroded research dollars. 

More: Now or Never

Blog

Types of Vaccines

As scientists work towards a COVID-19 vaccine, they are faced with the decision of which type of vaccine to choose. Here, we review the different types of vaccines, how they […]

More: Types of Vaccines

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Serving the Public Interest

We sent a letter to President Trump yesterday in support of Dr. Anthony Fauci, noting: “the depth of expertise he brings to COVID-19 response efforts is an asset our nation simply cannot afford to forsake.

More: Serving the Public Interest

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Partnership and Progress

Our nation’s research enterprise – and thus our society – has long benefitted mightily from the contributions of foreign-born scientists and engineers. In fact, nearly a third of the STEM workforce is foreign-born

More: Partnership and Progress

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Building Back Better

The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 has surpassed 100,000 lives. If anything other than tragedy and destruction lies in the wake of COVID-19, let it be the courage to see, clearly, the world we live in

More: Building Back Better

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Public Sentiment

Researchers at Yale and George Mason University released a report this week reflecting Americans’ attitudes on climate change, including its impact on health.

More: Public Sentiment

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Point to the Victories

On Tuesday, Research!America sent a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar asking him to clarify the decision to end NIH grant funding for an ongoing, EcoHealth Alliance research initiative focused on pandemic preparedness. We urge

More: Point to the Victories

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Now is the time

“Hopefully, the urgency that everyone is seeing around COVID-19 will translate into bigger investments for global health vaccines.” 

More: Now is the time

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Time To Think Big

This past Monday, CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield was our guest for the first of two alliance member calls this week, stressing the roles we all have to play: “I think this is an all-of-the

More: Time To Think Big

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Reliance on science

Jumping right in:Funding, Current and Future: Democratic Leaders in the House are focusing on the Moving Forward Framework, an infrastructure investment blueprint they originally released in January 2020, as the foundation for a fourth, $2 trillion supplemental.

More: Reliance on science

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Science, Science, Science

Congress is expected to pass a stimulus bill that includes significant investments in our nation’s key research agencies. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act

More: Science, Science, Science

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Science: Front and Center

Because Research!America’s membership spans the ecosystem of stakeholders in research, we are fortunate to have access to a broad and comprehensive range of information you might find helpful. 

More: Science: Front and Center

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

High alert

At this challenging time, Research!America is laser-focused on helping to advance policy and funding actions to speed the day we see the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

More: High alert
Home