Homo ScientiSt can lead Homo SapienS to tHe next evolutionary Stage, to Homo ingeniouS

T he worldwide COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic has created an unpredicted and unexperienced chain reaction for our human species Homo sapiens due to “social distancing” and community lockdowns. The situation is far beyond our “business as usual” mode and has become our “everyday functioning”. The pandemic is putting extreme pressure on healthcare systems and is significantly changing the economy, due to the lockdown of the workforce, therefore reducing the supply (output of industry), consumer demand for supplies, as well as consumer earnings and buying power. Therefore, the resulting reduced gross domestic product (GDP) will change the lives of individuals and communities, both small and large, not only for the next couple of months but for years. Among Homo sapiens, the Silent Generation (born 1925–1945) is the most vulnerable to the COVID-19 infection. The Baby Boomer Generation (1946–1964) is physically stronger and will have fewer victims of COVID-19 infection, but will certainly have smaller pensions due to the effects of the pandemic on financial markets. Many members of Generation X (1965–1980) will lose their jobs together with those in Generation Y (1981–1995), and they will have to worry about the future of Gene ration Z (1996–2009) for their education, job opportunities, and wellbeing. Generation Alpha (2010–2025) is less susceptible to COVID-19, however, as a result of the global pandemic they will witness a signifi-

T he worldwide COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic has created an unpredicted and unexperienced chain reaction for our human species Homo sapiens due to "social distancing" and community lockdowns. The situation is far beyond our "business as usual" mode and has become our "everyday functioning". The pandemic is putting extreme pressure on healthcare systems and is significantly changing the economy, due to the lockdown of the workforce, therefore reducing the supply (output of industry), consumer demand for supplies, as well as consumer earnings and buying power. Therefore, the resulting reduced gross domestic product (GDP) will change the lives of individuals and communities, both small and large, not only for the next couple of months but for years.

e d i t o r i a l e d i t o r i a l
cant change in the social fabric of different societies worldwide during the decade of 2020-2029.
At this time due to the lack of a vaccine and effective treatments for the severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by the novel coronavirus, the selfimposed or authority-regulated social distancing is the only behavioral regulation tool we have to prevent the spread of disease and serious cases. As an example, in New York State it is called Policies to Assure Uniform Safety for Everyone (PAUSE), and causes social separation and a pause in regular social life [1]. Other cities, counties and states in the U.S. have ordered similar lockdowns [2].
Day by day people are losing trust in healthcare systems, governments, and international cooperation since countries are implementing lockdowns and closing their borders. I too am part of the struggle with the impacts of COVID-19, and as an individual I have very few trusted parties: these are SCIENCE, the POWER of COMMUNITIES and the STRENGTHS of SOCIETIES.
In the past two weeks, I experienced something I had never seen in my life. It happened somewhat like the story in The Sleeping Beauty (Little Briar Rose), a fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm [3].
"The old man had been told by his grandfather that many king's sons had sought to pass the thornhedge, but had been caught and pierced by the thorns, and had died a miserable death. Then said the young man: 'Nevertheless, I do not fear to try; I shall win through and see the lovely rosamond.' … and when he saw her looking so lovely in her sleep, he could not turn away his eyes; and presently he stooped and kissed her. and she awaked, and opened her eyes, and looked very kindly on him" [3].
Something similar has happened to us. After years of living in contentment, in recent weeks we acted as if we were asleep and like a well-trained parrot, we repeated to ourselves we have no virus we have no crisis, it is just a hoax of the "evil fairies". But our long sleep was ended by the declared State of Emergency that "kissed" and awakened the Governors , the States, and the Communities. We woke up and realized we are in the 21 st Century, and we should trust science to find solutions for this crisis -"Homo Scientist", and not fairy tales.
And the Country, the United States of America that I appreciate and love since it gave me an opportunity I would never have anywhere else, showed that the democracy has a future, and the communities have the courage, the brainpower, the creativeness and the strength to save the most vulnerable among us and protect the rest. The best and the brightest in science and industry are demonstrating their resilience and ingenuity, and are creating new test methods, starting clinical trials to evaluate potential treatments, and developing vaccines to protect us from the "evil fairy jinx". Private industries have started to develop and manufacture ventilators, respirators, protective gear, and sanitizers. Retired nurses and physicians are rolling up their sleeves to pitch in to the effort and support their active colleagues who are working long hours day and night.
However, while I tried to make the coronavirus situation a less harsh reality with my fairy tale analogy, our daily life is overwriting a softer reality with the cruelty of a disease we are fighting against. We will win this fight because we are powered with scientific knowledge that we are acquiring by collecting and analyzing data, and we are learning day by day. Therefore, we have the strength of small and large research communities of Homo Scientists that we belong to around the world and we are in this together fighting a common foe.
This global nightmare we are experiencing will prove that Homo Scientist can lead Homo Sapiens to the next evolutionary stage -to Homo Ingenious".