“We’ve seen absolutely unprecedented global solidarity,” says WHO Chief Scientist, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan. Our host James Chau gets the latest on COVID-19 with Dr. Soumya as the world pours its resources into tackling this global health crisis. From China sharing the new virus’ genetic sequences to the public, to publications taking down their paywalls to better spread research, to countless scientists and labs coming together to find out more about the disease, global cooperation is leading the way forward to combatting this new disease. Their conversation covers what the world has learned so far.

There is not one word that captures Gabriel Leung, member of the ongoing joint WHO-China COVID-19 mission. He is an international epidemiologist instrumental in the SARS response, a former Under Secretary for Food and Health in Hong Kong, and current Dean of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong. Our host James Chau called Professor Leung in Hong Kong to discuss the scientific community’s evolving understanding of the epidemiology of the new virus, and the stigma and misinformation that attempts to undo the science.

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, China has undertaken extensive efforts to prevent its spread and, in turn, has helped other countries prepare. As the world braces for broader impact, the international community must grasp this narrow window of opportunity to coordinate on research and development to end this global health crisis. James Chau, our host and WHO Goodwill Ambassador, offers his insights on The Heat.