Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic represents the most serious health and economic catastrophe in our lifetimes. The heartfelt and urgent call to arms from Epelbaum and Galperin [1] in this issue of Breathe reflects the harsh reality for those on the frontline: the medical imperative to make decisions in the context of imperfect information. One of the unique features of this crisis is that we are dealing with a novel coronavirus. We are starting from a blank sheet in terms of empirical data on which to base decisions about interventions for prevention and treatment. Clinicians need to make the best use of the imperfect information at the bedside. However, this is not the end of the story; indeed, it is the beginning. In history, now and in the future, research has been, and is, the method we use to acquire knowledge and knowledge is the key to effective action to solve clinical problems. Research is the key to solving the COVID-19 emergency.