The prompt “Cooperation and Sharing” is very fitting these days as we rely on scientists all over the world cooperating and sharing. This is usually the case in the scientific community anyway, but even more important now. Countries have to share their data and statistics so scientists and subsequently politicians can get a clear picture of how the pandemic evolves and how best to deal with it.

I look at the statistics that come out every day now and try to gauge the progress my country and region is making in “flattening the curve”. It is important to me to have the numbers to assess if we are doing good enough, or if things get out of hand. Being no expert whatsoever I’m thankful for the experts that share their knowledge and explain the numbers to me and make these statistics understandable. Sharing data is very important right now, it truly is a matter of life and death. If countries are not honest and don’t share their data it could lead to dire consequences for all of us.

It is also very important to cooperate in another scientific matter, that is, to find a vaccine or treatment against the virus. Here, scientists all over the world are in a race to find solutions as quickly as possible. They share data and results through publishing their findings in journals so others can build on it and further the development of a solution. We have to trust these experts and be patient and hope that they find something sooner rather than later.

I plan on making my piece along those thoughts of scientific sharing and cooperating. It might involve some numbers and curves!