In it together

The coronavirus crisis reveals untapped potential

What a difference a month makes. At the start of March, most Europeans still thought of coronavirus as something happening to other people. Lockdowns were discussed in Italy, but considered too drastic to be implemented widely.

Now it’s a different world: one of deserted campuses and empty laboratories. Most European countries have some form of lockdown in place; academic teaching has moved online as students and lecturers hunker down at home. Some experiments continue, but even the most hard-headed researchers have been urged to work remotely.