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How Scientists Can Volunteer to Help Fight COVID-19

Researchers are offering tools, equipment, time, and expertise to help alleviate COVID-19 suffering. Here’s how you can chip in.

Written byEmma Yasinski
| 2 min read
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Around the world, bench scientists other than those actively studying the pandemic have largely been forced to scale back or even shut down their experiments out of COVID-19 precautions. But that doesn’t mean their skills and expertise can’t contribute to the worldwide effort to address the disease.

In March, a postdoc at Harvard University created a national database where scientists can list their skills as well as available equipment in hopes of being matched with other scientists who could use their support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thousands of scientists have signed up, and there are many other ways to help as well, from donating supplies to reviewing literature to answering questions about the virus submitted by members of the general public.

Many universities have organized drives for laboratories and surrounding businesses to donate PPE such as masks, face shields, and gowns to healthcare workers. Others are ...

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Meet the Author

  • emma yasinski

    Emma is a Florida-based freelance journalist and regular contributor for The Scientist. A graduate of Boston University’s Science and Medical Journalism Master’s Degree program, Emma has been covering microbiology, molecular biology, neuroscience, health, and anything else that makes her wonder since 2016. She studied neuroscience in college, but even before causing a few mishaps and explosions in the chemistry lab, she knew she preferred a career in scientific reporting to one in scientific research.

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