SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus

What the coronavirus pandemic has in common with climate change, how science communication should respond – and what opportunities are now emerging for the research community. Part two of the conversation between science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar and Helmholtz President Otmar D. Wiestler.

Science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar and Helmholtz President Otmar D. Wiestler discuss the role of science communication and mistakes made during the coronavirus pandemic.

Researchers are gaining a better understanding of how long a passed infection or vaccination protects against the virus. The latest findings are rather reassuring, also with regard to the virus variants.

The tracing of infection chains is in the hands of the public health departments. Impressions from the Berlin district of Steglitz-Zehlendorf show how the use of the SORMAS program can help. The authority has been working with SORMAS since the spring. By the end of the year, 90 percent of the offices nationwide should be using the program - but so far, only 95 are.

We have been living with the Corona pandemic for a year now. A lot has changed in patient treatment since then. Senior physician Harald Prüß explains which drugs are effective and which are not - and how the survival chances of intensive care patients have developed.

Wie verändert eine COVID-19-Erkrankung die Gedächtnisleistung? Und welche Rolle spielt die psychische Belastung durch die Pandemie? Mit einer App wollen Hirnforscher mögliche Effekte auf das Gehirn untersuchen. Bürger ab 18 Jahren können mitmachen – auch diejenigen, die nicht an COVID-19 erkrankt sind.

Researchers from Karlsruhe have been able to make PCR tests for detecting coronavirus infection more efficient. Their invention has become established in practice: Devices based on their principle have a market share of around 25 percent in Germany alone.

COVID-19 can also trigger chronic fatigue syndrome in some infected individuals. How many patients are affected - and why the disease has so far been difficult to recognize and treat.  

The Corona warning app has now been available for more than half a year. How is it helping to contain the pandemic, and what new features are planned?