June 2020
Looking beyond the chain of infection, there is limited understanding of how the measures that have been taken to fight the pandemic are disrupting health systems, businesses, trade chains, and society more generally, as well as how all of these interconnect with each other. Regarding the future, the possibility exists that societies will have to live long-term with COVID-19. It will take time for scientific knowledge to be advanced to a level that will allow the disease to be kept under control. Nevertheless, evidence from science, which is often required at short notice, is crucial to help develop sound public policy. It raises the question of how scientific advice can be best given to European policy makers when knowledge is fast evolving, risks are large, and evidence is preliminary and limited. This question is particularly difficult because there are many uncertainties, outcomes and risks that need to be considered as well as at times limited scientific evidence, which means politicians have to face difficult trade-offs sometimes requiring controversial and unpopular decisions.