Letters from the Editors

LETTERS FROM

Dear Reader:

Welcome to the first ever special edition dedicated to COVID-19. This issue is the product of months of dedicated research, analyses, and fact-finding. The Columbia Science Review Editorial staff investigated several interesting aspects of the coronavirus pandemic. Through it all, we remained determined not to only engage the reader, but to also dispel misinformation in these unprecedented times.

There has been no better example of the dangers of misinformation than what we have witnessed during this public health crisis. While scientists have raced to develop viable vaccines and identify new ways of effectively dealing with this pandemic, many in politics have attempted to discredit physicians and scientists who are committed to public safety. At the Columbia Science Review, we believe in making scientific information and facts readily available to our readers.

We have done our best to cover a broad range of topics and to bring you what we hope to be informative articles on COVID-19. At this time, it is not only critical to stay safe by adhering to public health measures like mask-wearing and social distancing, but also to stay informed. Due to the evolving nature of science, articles have been dated to indicate that only the information available at the time was utilized.

I’m proud of the hard work and commitment demonstrated by our staff, and to have worked alongside passionate young scientists and future changemakers. Finally, I am pleased to hand off the position of Editor-in-Chief to Sarah Ho who has worked tirelessly to ensure the success of this publication. I’m certain that the Columbia Science Review will continue to grow and excel under her leadership.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share our work with you. Stay safe and stay strong!

Sincerely,

Alice Sardarian Editor-in-Chief

Dear Reader,

Hello and welcome to the Columbia Science Review’s Summer COVID-19 issue! Whether you read this issue in print or digital form, you will find a variety of indepth articles that cover some of the many facets of the COVID-19 pandemic, ranging from the development of vaccines to the use of machine learning to project and diagnose cases.

Ordinarily, the Columbia Science Review only releases two print issues per year, one in the fall and one in the spring. However, a pandemic is anything but ordinary, and given that the COVID-19 pandemic has been accompanied by an abundance of scientific information, misinformation, and controversy, the Editorial Board thought it was only fitting to produce a special issue dedicated to examining the scientific underpinnings and implications of COVID-19.

I am incredibly grateful for all of the hard work, passion, and time that the members of the Editorial Board— writers, editors, illustrators, and layout designers—devoted to this issue. Zoom sessions are no substitute for in-person company, but nevertheless, I greatly appreciated the camaraderie and comfort of our weekly meetings in the summer.

If anything, this pandemic has underlined how much distance often lies between science and the public. Without a doubt, scientific research and discovery are crucial in and of themselves. However, just as importantly, great care needs to be taken to ensure that the public is informed of this information through clear and apolitical means. The Columbia Science Review has long tried to play a role in bridging this gap, and it is my hope that the articles in this issue will be as illuminating and informative for you as they were for me.

Happy reading, and wear a mask!

Warmly,

Sarah Ho Managing Editor