I wake up, work at my kitchen counter, exercise in my room, shower in the bathroom, make food in the kitchen, watch tv in the living room, sleep in my bed, and repeat it all the next day. If I’m lucky, I may squeeze in a trip to the grocery store, otherwise, my entire day revolves around a square box, called my apartment. What makes social distancing even more difficult is the season – the temperature rising into the 60s, the sun finally coming out for more than a minute and Cherry Blossoms blooming throughout the city.
Besides working, eating and the occasional walks, I’m sure many of us constantly wonder what we should do with our time. Do I have any hobbies? Do I want to start that side project I’ve been thinking about? Do I write that book? Do I learn a new skill? So many options, and yet I find myself constantly binging Netflix and feeling bored. The ultimate question then becomes, what exactly can one do amidst a pandemic?
While we all sit indoors, practicing safe, social distancing, hundreds of pharmaceutical companies and research institutions actively search for an end to the coronavirus pandemic. However, my guess is that many of you do not know exactly what this process looks like and how a vaccine or treatment comes to market. Why does that matter?
To bring a drug to market, pharmaceutical companies must run clinical trials, the most important part of clinical research, where doctors and researchers observe, learn and study the effects of new treatments in a controlled setting. Clinical trials are made up of participants like yourself, who volunteer their time to help advance science and hopefully discover life-saving treatments or preventative vaccines. Although you may be stuck at home, that doesn’t mean you can’t participate! Living in the 21st century means having access to state-of-the-art technology, and many clinical trials today are virtual – so you don’t even have to leave your house.
When it comes to COVID-19, hundreds of clinical trials are recruiting for millions of volunteers, both healthy individuals and those who are formally diagnosed. Regardless of your situation, your participation will not only give you something to do while you are stuck at home but will actively help bring this pandemic to an end. COVID-19 has impacted all of us, and yet only 10% of the population are aware of clinical trials, the only way to bring vaccines and treatment to the general public. Let’s work together to increase that percentage, to educate the world on how they can truly save lives and end the COVID-19 outbreak once and for all.
Are you ready to make a difference?
Interested in participating in a COVID-19 clinical trial, or just want to learn more about what may be involved? Go to www.covid19studies.org for more information!
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