Although political leaders have closed borders in response to COVID-19, scientists are collaborating like never before.
But the coronavirus (SARS-COV-2) is novel and we dont yet have all the facts about it.
As a result, we may have to change our approach as new scientific data comes in.
That doesnt mean the science isnt trustworthy we will get the full picture over time.
And there is already great research that can help inform political decisions.
Here are three topics that scientists disagree on.
Face masks
The novel coronavirus spreads by droplets from coughs, sneezes and speaking.
To halt the spread of the virus, face masks have become compulsory in many countries.
But the science is complex.
Face masks wont stop the wearer from inhaling small airborne particles of coronavirus, which can cause infection.
Research has also shown that when people wear masks, the exhaled airgoes into the eyes.
This generates an impulse to touch the eyes.
And if your hands are contaminated, you may infect yourself.
Indeed, WHO warns that masks can be counterproductive unless wearersavoid touching their faceand adopt other management measures.
We also know that face masks can make us breathemore often and more deeply potentiality spreading more contaminated air.
Many scientists therefore disagree with the Royal Society report, requesting more evidence on the efficacy of masks.
Immunity
Immunologists are working hard to determine what immunity to COVID-19 looks like.
This has created doubt over whether people get long-term protection against subsequent exposure to the virus.
These can become programmed to fight the same or similar viruses in the future.
And studies suggest that T-cellsare at workin many patients fighting COVID-19.
People never infectedmay also harbor protective T-cellsbecause theyve been exposed to similar coronaviruses.
But it is not clear yet how it works and how long it lasts.
This claim, however,is still controversial.
Immune response to COVID-19 is complex, with the full picture likely to extend beyond antibodies.
Number of cases
The reporting of coronavirus cases varies drastically around the world.
When it comes to estimating true prevalence, scientists use just one of two main approaches.
Such models have givenvery different estimates.
We dont know why.
But that excludes T-cells.
