Table 2.

COVID-19: Questions Remaining

Epidemiology

• How can superspreader events be avoided?

• Why do infection rates and severity vary so widely among individuals and countries?

• Why are global COVID-19 mortality rates falling?

Virology

• Does viral diversity influence illness severity?

• Can early administration of agents such as vitamin D, famotidine or interferon prevent infection or arrest disease progression?

• What is the impact of prior exposure to endemic seasonal coronaviruses?

Clinical

• What are late complications and how can they be managed and/or prevented?

Treatment

• What is the treatment for mild disease?

• When should antifungal prophylaxis be considered?

• Is there a role for immunomodulatory agents in addition to corticosteroids?

• How should the timing of immunomodulatory interventions be optimized?

• Is convalescent plasma beneficial?

• What is the role and optimal dosing of anticoagulant therapy?

Diagnosis

• What is the accuracy of antigen compared to viral RNA testing?

• What are the correlates and durability of protective immunity?

Prevention

• Can effective vaccines and other targeted immunotherapeutics be found?

• Does low-level viral exposure lead to protective immunity?

• How can communities reopen and resume essential activities without incurring new waves of epidemic spread?

• Can upgrading ventilation systems in businesses and schools facilitate reopening?